Faith's Findings

I'm just gonna be real for the next few minutes. It's a tough world. It's an even tougher world in the dating scene. In a digital society that thrives in technology and social media--or even a blog like this--online dating is becoming a norm. It is not as faux paux as it once was; however, it's slightly embarrassing to admit that yes, I have tried it. And boy is it exhausting!! Dating online allows anyone---even myself---to hide behind a screen when it comes to face to face communication. It has become a crutch in this society. I even see it in my students. It is hard for them to communicate in anything more than 140 Tweet characters or a Snapchat caption. But I digress---So, yes I have tried online dating. Who of you single readers haven’t? Be honest. You have and you know it. It is okay. This is the world we live in and it is hard to meet people without technology. I have comprised a list of confessions, if you will, that are real life examples of just ho

"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." -- Psalm 105:1 I wasn't going to do it. I promise. I wasn't going to post a cliche thankful blog, but then I was laying in bed and my thoughts and pondering ran away with me. It's one of those nights where I have to write, I have to get this out so that I may rest.  I remembered this picture that my mom crosstitched many years ago: She was working on this picture when she gave birth to my premature, still born baby brother, who was between my sister and me.   I remember her telling me this story vividly: "After coming home from the hospital, I was working on it again. And the still small voice, that we know so well, whispered, "You never thanked me for the baby." I didn't know how to thank the Lord for taking my baby. But, His Spirit lead me and I am thankful, now, for the journey." (Yes, that is the short version.) I am hu

To the husband and wife who curled their noses at me, only after giving me the judgmental once over, and then proceeded to make rude comments about my physical appearance, while I was within earshot: I pity you.        You are the part of society that tells people they are never enough: their bodies are never fit enough; their hair never quite right; their crooked smile isn't white enough; their laugh is too loud; their thighs don’t have a gap; and the list could go on and on.         I left my house Saturday feeling pretty, an occurrence that does not happen all that often between the teacher clothes and sweatpants. I left my house looking forward to a shopping trip with some sweet ladies, whom I cherish. This was a good day and I had won the mental battle; a battle that should never have to be fought, except there are people like you in this world. After hearing your rude comments and how you summed me up in your eyes and words without a thought, or   returning a s

As I have been preparing for the beginning of a new school year, a new school year where I am the teacher from day one I might add, I have been pondering: why is this so stressful?   I am a teacher and society believes I only work 9 months out of the year for roughly 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Some of us know what a far cry from reality that this is. However, that's another blog. Yes, I have had the past 6 weeks off for summer and I have traveled and had a blast. But, there were conferences, trainings, workshops, etc.  All in preparation for the upcoming school year.   So, my job picks up in a few days when I have students with me again. Why is this so stressful? Other people work 12 months out of the year and I have done that, but I never felt this kind of stress.  My only analogy I have here is that the beginning of a school year is like being given a newborn baby. You are given this baby and you only have 9 months to teach this child everything there is to know a

The following is a blog that has been on my heart and computer since earlier this year when I was people watching at a concert. (Yes, the Nelly concert.) In light of all of the posts where people have been challenged to post 5 pictures that they feel beautiful in. I have been challenged quite a few times, so here are my five, along with a little piece of my heart. Dear Pretty Girl, I see you. I see you as you stare and take it all in. I see you as you are --- never enough and always falling short. I see you as you see them---the prettier and skinnier girls as they strut through the gazes of admirers. I see you as you adjust your clothes---the shirt that now seems to accentuate every flaw; the shoes that now seem to be clumsy; and that frizzy hair that just won’t stay in place. I see the insecurity and anxiety perspire as you dab them away, hoping no one saw. I see you as you watch with lonely and longing eyes wishing for one admirer for rescue. I see your s