Columns
Features
Ordinary Days: In the face of fear, come and make all things new
Parenting is scary, yes? Sure it’s a lot of other things too—fun, frustrating, joyful, nerve-wracking. But a thread of fear always works its way through the “job” of parenting, doesn’t it? Read more
Ordinary Days: Finding true identity ... again and again and again
As much as I love my children … as much as I love my husband, my parents, my brother, my friends … what they think of me doesn’t define who I am. Read more
Ordinary Days: The(se) Good Old Days
I’ll be honest with you here: I was all ready to write this month’s column on memories of my childhood, how I tend to long for the past and how I’ve recreated the best parts of it in some way in my novels. But then Andy Bernard messed it all up. Read more
Ordinary Days: Bats, birthday parties and the parental balancing act
A couple of months ago, our daughter Sela turned 7. Because she’d been planning her party pretty much since a few days after her sixth birthday, we had a lot of time to think about it, and she had a lot of time to change her mind. Read more
Ordinary Days: Cultivating a life
This summer, I’ve been reading a book I think will become my required summertime reading. “Liturgy of the Ordinary” (by Tish Harrison Warren) is about finding God’s presence “in the cracks of our days.” Read more
Ordinary Days: On kitchen renovation and cardboard artwork
Back in the spring, we made the decision to renovate our kitchen. Read more
Ordinary Days: Parenting wisdom and other day-to-day necessities
The other day, my nine-year-old Kate came downstairs with something behind her back and a nervous expression on her face. Read more
Ordinary Days: Unexpected surprises along the way
Soon after “The Hideaway” was released, I had my first “appearance” at a bookstore in Marietta, Georgia, with two other authors. Read more
Ordinary Days: Perfection, but at what cost?
Lately I’ve been asking my friends if they’ve ever heard of something called FaceTune. Read more
Ordinary Days: Discovering closets full of childhood
My parents have lived in the same familiar house, on the same quiet street, in our hometown for 37 years, and now they’ve decided to move. Read more
Ordinary Days: Accidental lessons from my parents
These accidental lessons remind me that my own children are absorbing the same from me — things I unconsciously teach them while I’m actually working hard to teach them other, more meaningful lessons. Read more
Ordinary Days: The journey, not the destination, and other cliches
A couple months ago, my family went to the Smoky Mountains for a vacation. One day, we went on a hike that took us from a busy parkway up a trail and into the silence. Read more
Ordinary Days: The blessing of a sick day
A call from the nurse is never good news, though, and as I stared at those two words on the screen, I envisioned a sick child along with my afternoon plans dissolving. Read more
Ordinary Days: Shortcut to grown-up friendships
Adult friendships can be hard. Perhaps adult female friendships even more so. Read more
Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
What's cooking: Add a little sweet to your spooky spread with Rice Krispies pumpkins
Need a quick Halloween treat for a party? These Rice Krispies pumpkins are a fun and easy dessert that can be made in an afternoon, with help from your kids. Read more
Ordinary Days: Beating back the critical beast
Not long ago, I was rushing out the door to go to a book event and Kate stopped me as I put on my shoes. Read more
Ordinary Days: Strength and self-confidence … for adults
As Book 4 hovers in front of me, it’s possible a yearly membership at the climbing gym may be in my future. Read more
Ordinary Days: Coming to terms with the curse of indecision
As an adult, I’ve discovered something about myself that either wasn’t a trait of mine when I was younger, or I just wasn’t perceptive enough to realize it: I am a pretty terrible decision-maker. Read more
Ordinary Days: ‘You have to cling to the truth’
I overheard the most amazing thing at Target the other day. I was in the toy section with my daughters, looking for birthday presents for a variety of friends, when I heard someone in the next aisle giving an earnest pep talk to someone on the phone. Read more
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