Yesterday I had my 4th headache of the week. For awhile I was able to take care of it and keep being productive. I packed boxes. I sorted clothing. I made meals. And in the middle of it I rested as I needed, too. Yesterday, however, yesterday I couldn’t peel myself off of the couch. […]
The prayer I pray today, when my questio...
I don’t have all of the answers. I like to think I do. As a pastor and teacher of all things Bible and theology, for five years people came to me for “the answers.” But when I was referenced in a sermon or meeting, “Ask Leah,” I felt a sense of shame and embarrassment. Because […]
How I am doing with all of this change…
“Are you excited?!” The question comes at me every day from people who are excited for me with the expectation that I must be thrilled by the changes coming my way. But I only look at them and can answer with only one word that sounds truthful: Overwhelmed. Today. Last week. Last month. I have […]
Why Depression Won’t Win: An Easter Refl
I am a girl who feels she is not enough. Perfection seems like it should be possible and yet I fall short. I snap at my kids. I am jealous of other women. I am irritable, selfish, materialistic. I see my sin. I struggle with depression, shame, and fear. And I know I would be […]
I quit.
For a few months now I have been paralyzed by the numbers. Number of page views. Number of followers. Number of likes. Number of comments. Numbers. Numbers. Numbers. Numbers are important in publishing. Agents and publishers won’t look at you if you don’t have high numbers. Books won’t sell unless you have high numbers. And […]
As I Felt Discouraged this Week :: Jesus...
Tim and I were fighting, again. I don’t remember what we were fighting about, but I do remember the feelings. I remember my gut churning because once again we were not communicating well. I remember my heart racing and palms sweating, because “what if we can’t find our way out of this one?” I remember the heaviness settle […]
Welcome!
Hello and Welcome to the new home of The Toothless Grin! Please subscribe for all future posts on the right. —>>> Here I hope you will find the same ol’ me in a bit more polished, personal format. Until I get everything transferred, take some time to look around. Check out my bio, my sermons, […]
8 Ways Mothers are Courageous
We moms don’t think of ourselves as courageous. When you wake up in the morning, you can guess how the day will go. The toddler will demand breakfast. The kindergartener will dress himself in something strange. You will make all breakfasts and lunches within 30 minutes of your day and make the mad dash that […]
What I am Fearing the Most (and my lifel...
He approaches the steep blue slide with excitement and gusto. The same slide that we went down together a few weeks ago only to have him cling to me and cry out in fear as we dropped to the bottom. I have never seen Ben go down a slide by himself, let alone this massive […]
I Don’t Believe in Lent
My friends showed up to volleyball practice with crosses of ash smeared on their foreheads. I looked on with incredulity at the morbid (to me) signs on their forehead as they lamented that it was the beginning of Lent when they couldn’t eat chocolate or candy. The entire purpose of this season to them was […]