A couple of months ago this website was down, but my article “God of the Anxious” was published in The Redbud Post. I would be honored if you would read it now. When I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. I could not make a phone call without sweating. I […]
What am I worth?
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? -Matthew 6:26 This week our family is stepping out into new territory. A huge project is underway. And I’m nervous. No, if I let myself […]
How to Defeat Shame {An encouraging word...
Shame is a liar. It looks at who we are, the deep parts of us, and identifies us as flawed. Broken. Unworthy. Unlovable. In my worst days, I have believed the lies of shame. I have believed I have nothing to offer, can do nothing right, will never become anything and should not even bother. […]
A Confession to my Readers on this First...
Hi Friends, So much has been going on. I have been – or at least felt – absent from my blog in the ways that matter to me. Heart matters. Those pieces of us that groan and ache and rejoice and cry and feel every moment of life have been tender and emotive for me. […]
What My Anger Says About Me {And What I’
You guys, I’m spent. The voice of shame inside of me says, “You can’t write right now. You have nothing to offer anyone else when you are angry.” Because yes, I am angry. And I’m often angry. I confessed this to my husband the other night and he point blank said, “I know.” Today it’s […]
When there are no Words to pray for Pari...
I touched my forehead to his. Nose to nose. Shoulder to shoulder. I felt that I could not get close enough to my husband last night. I cherished his hand in mine. The tiny grasp with so much strength and stubborn will. My little one needs my hand to guide him today, so I take it. […]
How Jesus Heals my Depression
Depression has been my constant companion since I was 16 years old. It has oppressed me with its hopelessness, its despair, its sense of futility, anger, and deceit. Yes, deceit. Depression lies to me. Depression tells me there is no life for me. Depression tells me there will be no moment better than this. Depression […]
Am I called? {Seeking answers in life ch...
“Trust God with the details, you were called!” “God has called you, it’s all going to be great!” “I’m so excited to see what God’s going to do as you follow God’s call.” I heard lines like this over and over again as we prepared to leave our home in Colorado to be near family […]
The risk of relationship: Is it worth it...
Three days before the big move, Tim and I are sitting at our dining room table surrounded by a house that has imploded. Clothes are draped over furniture. Boxes lie around half packed, partially labeled. Food is on the counter. Dishes remain in the sink. Panicked I turn to my husband, “I wanted to be […]
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 […]