When You Don’t Know the Way
Yesterday in church, I learned from a wise, praying man. He said this: “Jesus, when we don’t know the way to go, we know that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” His quoting of John 14:6 made me think differently about times of confusion, indecision, or waiting. Jesus is the way we […]
Staying Pliable
This morning I read in Robert Coleman’s book The Master Plan of Evangelism about the character trait of being pliable. In examining the type of people Jesus selected to follow him, we note most of all their pliable, teachable hearts. Jesus didn’t choose anyone from the Levitical priesthood, from among the scholarly, or even from the […]
Remembering that Work Expands to Fill the Time You Give It
Every fresh semester, I’m so tempted to fill the entire weekend grading that first project students turn in. I want to get ahead! I’ll rest later! Let’s get to work! I know the truth: I can give my whole life to work. I can grade every day, all day, if I wished. The work will […]
Show Transformation
As I help students write professional signature stories, I remember that all good stories show transformation. That’s what a story is. Something changes. Someone changes. As I coach students applying to college, I remind them that essays show transformation. Who were you? What happened? How did you change? I love asking students to think of what […]
Just Keep Listening
The flair moment came on my morning commute as I listened to my new favorite radio station—a 70’s and 80’s music station. I love every song! But as I turn out of my neighborhood, I find that the station plays a song I don’t love. It’s not what I want, but I know the likelihood […]
On This Day, We Planted a Ginkgo Tree
My husband loves ginkgo trees. We both marvel at their golden color in autumn. I love their leaves that look like little fans. When we lost our oak tree this year, we wondered what to plant in its place. Today, my husband planted this marvelous little tree. It will grow at least a foot a […]
Sweet Northern Town
It’s blazing hot today, and I receive notification from the school that the district will make accommodations for the high 90 degree temperatures. They’ll bus children to air conditioned locations. They’ll provide icy water. They’ll do everything they can to keep children cool. We aren’t used to this heat. Many homes (and schools) don’t even […]
All the Ways to Help You Sleep
As my friends and I age, we talk more and more about how to get a good night’s sleep. Since I’m in an academic community, I have more information than I need about sleeping. And since living with flair includes valuing a restful, full night’s sleep, I thought I’d pass on what I’m learning. Cold. […]
A Childhood of Catching Frogs
On most days after school in fifth grade, I skipped down the lawn in my backyard to the bank of Little Hunting Creek to a certain spot where a certain frog always sunned himself on a rock. I’d freeze when I saw him. I’d approach on tiptoe in hopes that this time I might, I […]
Lima Beans: A Recipe
With one daughter who loves lima beans, I couldn’t wait to try this recipe from Weight Watchers: Gemelli with Tomatoes, Limas, and Arugula. We used brown rice penne instead of the gemelli. It’s delicious! Today I also learned some new Overnight Refrigerator Oats recipes to try: Pumpkin Pie (combine oats, flax, chia, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, […]