Tag: Encouragement

To the Girl Who’s Not Doing What She Wanted to Do When She Grew Up

I'm the girl who's sat in a noisy coffee shop as she's plunked the keys on her keyboard, stared at the couples surrounding her, and lost the motivation she thought she had. I'm the girl who's reached out to multiple literary agents and been rejected or ignored by all of them. I'm the girl who's made approximately $60 as an unknown writer for a single Christian magazine. In short, I'm the girl who wanted to be an author but isn't an author.

3 Things Visitors at Your Church Want You to Know

Now, church isn’t a place where I can chat with the friends I grew up with; it’s a place where I have to make new friends. Now, church isn’t a place where I have a regular pew and a regular crew; it’s a place where I have to pick a random seat and smile through awkward introductions. Now, church isn’t a place where I can greet visitors; it’s a place where I have to receive a grand tour so that I don’t get lost on my way to the bathroom. So as a church visitor who’s quite introverted, here are three things that I’d like to tell regulars at the churches I visit.

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

We’ve all heard that we need to wear our hearts on our sleeves and let our emotions determine how we act. But if you’ve ever been rejected by a friend whom you bared your soul to or ignored by a boyfriend whom you spoke intimately with or reprimanded by a mentor whom you shared your darkest secret with, then you know that wearing your heart on our sleeve is messy.

Ready or Not…Again

As I write this post I’m preparing to graduate from college. I had four lovely years at a college where I met new friends, found a church that felt like home, and led a discipleship group of six great gals. I attended many memorable student events, played keyboard for campus chapel services, and tutored an amazing girl named Lexi. I used the word “community” way too much, sat in local coffee shops as I watched people interact, and discovered my favorite local restaurants. I enjoyed being at college. But now I must return to my actual home—in the brand-new territory called "adulthood"—and I’m not ready.

3 Things I Recently Told My Imaginary Boyfriend

Sean, I can’t waste any more years expecting something to happen between us. Nothing ever did, and nothing ever will. I’ve wanted you to be my boyfriend for years. Your smile, friendliness, and confidence (and handsomeness, duh) are incredibly attractive qualities. You're everything that I could ever want. But I can’t keep waiting for you to notice me. I know I have to move on. I’m mostly hopeful that the future is bright…for both of us. Here are a few things that you should know before we part ways.

If You’re Pursuing the Perfect _____

So I have this problem—a problem of pointless pursuits. Pointless pursuits have kind of been the theme of my life, at least in the last few years. I haven’t pursued empty things because people failed to warn me about the consequences. Ignorance wasn’t the issue. My stubbornness was.

Dear Single Girl, I Have More to Tell You

I know that I recently wrote you a letter about accepting your singleness while still being honest about how challenging it is. But there’s something else that’s just as important that I need to share with you: I truly believe that you're single for a reason. So Single Girl, find purpose in whatever you do while you wait to date and get married.

Easter for the Anorexic

You sit on a hard wooden pew in an old church sanctuary. You're surrounded by a sea of people who seem genuinely joyful. They sing "Victory in Jesus" with loud voices. Your head just spins. Their cheerful voices echo throughout the entire sanctuary, but Satan’s voice is the only thing that you can hear right now.

When Other People Are Living Your Dream

Others have done what I want to do—become a traditionally published young author of a nonfiction Christian book. Honestly, I envy them. I want their success. But for now, I’m an almost-graduated college student without a published book. And those authors are living my dream.

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