“I love you.” His voice reassured as he tenderly kissed my forehead. Hopeful imagination of my biological father. A time of his absence in my life. A girl dreams. My being so young when he
Read moreTag: Karen Girl Friday
America’s Driveway and the Foothills of God
My family heritage holds roots in small town America. America Maxfield, my maternal grandmother, lived in a small town in the foothills of Virginia, Big Stone Gap, nestled in a valley surrounded by the Appalachian
Read moreGo Big or Go Home: A Cross and Empty Tomb
Go big or go home! Going big to celebrate special holidays and occasions, tossed with the memories they create, bring me joy. So, I’m enthusiastic about reindeer, flags, turkeys, balloons, party hats, fireworks, hearts, costumes—all
Read moreGod or the Man Upstairs? Losing Sight of Holiness
Send this letter to twelve people to receive a blessing from the man upstairs. Recently, I’ve seen social media posts and received chain letters. Each written from the premise of a promise. If I believe
Read moreLosing that Loving Feeling and How to Get it Back
Have you lost that loving feeling? Love rode off into the sunset. People. Belief systems. Lofty imaginations. Endearing lines from a romance story. Many times I saddled up to run away, too. What was I
Read moreGod Said You’re a Keeper: Mercy Changes Everything
“Throw that one back. He’s not a keeper.” Memories of fishing with my dad linger in my mind. A girly pre-teen, I refused to bait the hook with worms. Real ones. Rubber worms I could
Read moreLet’s Paint the Town Red for Christmas and the New Year
Joy marked the occasion. So we painted the town red. Born the first day of December, I enjoy celebrating my birthday in the same month as Christmas. Last year, my special day proved fun-filled and
Read moreHow to Know if Your Gobble is Ungrateful
Gobble till you wobble. The fun slogan graces greeting cards and makes fashion statements for the Thanksgiving season. But do we stop and consider what we’re gobbling up? Besides the sound a male turkey makes, gobble also
Read moreIs There a Volume Button for the World?
Is there a volume button for the world? I wear a title in my family. Noise manager. I frequently send out memos to my people requesting they make adjustments to the loudness. Turn the TV
Read moreWhen God Speaks in the Mountains
Stay there. Stand in that spot while I do this. Last month I shared how God spoke to me at the beach on a family vacation. And every year in the fall, I journey to the
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