When You Start to Compare Your COVID-19 Situation to Everyone Else
It’s bound to happen. I can already see it. We might start comparing our lives. Some people shelter-in-place in lavish, well-stocked vacation homes, far from urban centers. They can ride this virus out for six more months with joy and endless provisions. And others sit comfortably in what has become a 1950’s neighborhood of fathers […]
A Loving Question During a Pandemic
I don’t know about you, but if I’m having a bad moment as I think about COVID-19, I feel overwhelmed when people call or text and ask, “How are you doing?” Of course, that’s how I personally lead off in conversation, but something doesn’t feel right about it lately. I began to wonder if there’s […]
What I’ve Learned After Two Weeks of Teaching Virtually
After two weeks of teaching virtually at Penn State, I’ve learned some things: Teaching virtually is not the same thing as launching an online class. When you teach virtually, it’s a synchronous classroom where students join you during your scheduled class time for virtual instruction via Zoom (for example). An online course does not necessarily […]
Until the Disaster Has Passed
This morning, I read David’s words in Psalm 57: “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” Until the disaster has passed! I note the word “disaster” and consider the COVID-19 […]
The Bible Verses Ministry Leaders Cling to During COVID-19
This morning, I was so encouraged as I joined in our daily prayer time with Cru graduate student ministry leaders. Ashley asked everyone to share and pray through the passage of scripture they had been meditating on and clinging to during this COVID-19 pandemic. As I humbly listened, my heart overflowed with assurance of God’s […]
When Dad Holds “Office Hours” for the Family
With all of us working together at home, it’s been difficult to figure out how to be together while giving one another space. My husband, for example, found that our daughters are constantly interacting with him, asking for help on projects, or needing him to fix something. He found a clever way to manage all […]
The Best Thing I Learned After Blogging Every Day for 10 Years
Today is my 10 year anniversary of blogging at Live with Flair! Can you believe it? I wanted to thank you all for journeying with me this past decade. We’ve grown up together. You’ve witnessed my life. Thank you for witnessing my life. What have I learned after writing every day for 10 years, after […]
Life at Home
Once I sowed to please the spirit, surrendered, and began to dwell in hope, I could begin to see the unexpected blessings of this most strange and unprecedented time in history. While I do allow myself a few minutes each day to check the news, worry terribly over COVID-19, and let my mind imagine worst-case […]
So Much Can Change and Grow
My Plumcot now grows at an unprecedented rate. It has branches. Soon, I’ll move this tree to the counter because it’s too tall for the window. In the Spring, I’ll move the tree outdoors where it belongs. I cannot wait to taste the delicious fruit it will one day bear. While stuck indoors during the […]
Some Strategies to Stay Spiritually Healthy During Times of Disruption
Today, I return to the basics of how to stay spiritually healthy during a time of upheaval. First and foremost, I want to “sow to please the Spirit” (Galatians 6) by spending time in God’s word, praying, and listening to encouraging sermons. This AM, I listened to “In Flickering Light” by T.D. Jakes that helped […]