Category: Personal Essays
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Counting Pennies
Wrote this several months ago about Rebecca. I think about her every time I open an empty pantry. She had exactly $127.43 worth of problems. Find out what happened when three strangers showed up at 6:47 PM.
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Nothing to Fear
Two miles. Wind in my face. Sun out. Quiet. Peace I’ve felt before, even in moments when everything went sideways. That’s what faith is. And with it? You have Nothing to Fear.
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Like Apple Jacks
Two miles today. First run since December. Hard and slow and so good! Something clicked this morning. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get back to the thing you love, this might be it. Today was the day for me.
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The Presence on E Main Street
The presence behind me on E Main Street was real. And she was driving a Cadillac.
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From Behind the Counter
Terry pressed his face against the glass and peered in at us. “Smokers,” he said. “In their natural habitat.” This is a story about a breakroom, a movie, and what we were promised.
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2440323
It’s just seven digits. 244 meant Burien. South King County. Dad made me memorize it at six. I never forgot it and never dial it. But when I call Dad today, he answers.
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What Are The Odds
I got fired on a Friday. Made a phone call. Started a new job on Monday. Worked there long enough to memorize one name. Left fifteen years ago and never thought about it again. Then on Saturday, at a wedding reception, the woman sitting next to me said that name out loud. What are the…
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Carrying Me
It’s my life. That’s what Jon Bon Jovi says. What if you could put down your stuff and let someone else carry it for you? Would you?
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Worth Holding
I drive for work. Research participants, behavioral health appointments, so many miles on the company’s Nissan Versa. This morning on West Main Street, I watched someone blow through a red light like it wasn’t there. At the start of the day. Sun shining. No hesitation. We’ve all seen it. We’re all adjusting to it. But…
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The Word Got Very Tired
“I was this close.” Danny shows the gap between his thumb and forefinger. “I had it on me. I just. I couldn’t.” “None of us did.” Ray’s voice is flat. The woman at the counter picks up her phone. Nobody moves. They have ten minutes. Maybe less. And everything that comes after depends on what…
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A Brief Inconvenience
Is it worth it to show up? Misery loves company. We lied. We just didn’t want to be alone. Showing up depends on what you’re carrying.
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When I Let Go
I’ve met with leaders who decided, long before the conversation started, how it ends. And somehow, I became the thing they needed me to be.
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Asking a Fair Question
Tamatha asked some hard questions about prayer on Facebook. Questions I couldn’t shake. She’s right about every word. This one? It’s for her. And for anyone else who’s been handed a ‘God had a plan’ speech when what they needed was someone to just sit down and shut up. fiveminuteobservations.com
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Stop
I saw the same post three times. Different authors. Same structure. So I ran an experiment. I replaced the candidate’s name with Jesus. It fit without a single edit. That scared me. This is what I found.
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Right In Front of You
Before the day starts, before my eyes are barely open, I open scripture. Some mornings it’s easy. This morning I opened Leviticus and almost started a fight with God. What I found instead changed how I see every person I’ll meet today.
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Mrs. Sheldon
Did she see what was happening at home? Or did I just get lucky with my artwork? Mrs. Sheldon stopped to look. It was a hard year.
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