On the Road in North Carolina
Last night I spoke to 400 Cru students at NC State. They are reading the book Sent, and I came to speak at their weekly meeting on the book. Afterwards, I connected with so many girls who wanted to meet and share about their lives. I love this part of writing and speaking: I love […]
So You’ll Know the Secret
Today I woke up thinking about Paul’s words in Philippians 4 about the secret to being content in all circumstances. He writes: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being […]
And I Saw Their Faces
Today felt surreal but profoundly joyful. Penn State lifted their masking requirement in classrooms. For the first time in 2 years, I taught without a mask and could see my students’ beautiful faces. And they could see mine. The difference is hard to describe in words. We were fully present, seeing one another, and engaging […]
Speaking of Risk
I’m learning about prosocial and positive risk. Consider the risk it requires to start a conversation with a potential new friend, to join a new club, to step into a new church? You might feel awkward or rejected, so the risk is real. That’s what makes these behaviors a risk. But it’s positive risk—risk with […]
Taking Care of Yourself
Today I asked my students how they are taking care of themselves. Never before have I seen so many exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious students. How are you taking care of yourself? It’s a great question to ask friends and family to remind us all that one of our jobs in life is to take care […]
The Creature Insists
My anxiety-ridden cat recently advanced to a peculiar routine. If I sit precisely in a certain spot on the couch, with the fuzzy brown blanket, Merlin will snuggle up beside me, turn on his side, and meow and meow until I rub his tummy, massage his paws, and pay him all sorts of loving attention. […]
It Won’t Work
Yesterday I read John 4 and the account of Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. I stay for a minute with these words about the water she seeks from the well: “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the […]
Smallest or Most Common: The Best Ever
Today I thought about how the smallest and most common birds often make the most beautiful songs. Think of the wood thrush or the nightingale or the song sparrow. So tiny. So unassuming. So humble. And yet the song rings out across the forest in this majestic and marvelous way. Visit the Cornell Bird Lab […]
A Little Quote I Saw in a Professor’s Office
It reads, “Any given moment can change your life. You just have to be there.” It reminds me to stay attentive, to look for possibilities, and to keep hope alive.
Supportive Listening
Today in class, we tried a 15 minute supportive listening exercise. In random groups of 3-4 people, students told their group members what felt discouraging, what their stressful workload felt like, and/or what made them feel “stuck” in their research or writing for the honors college. The other group members listened in order to support, […]