Compelled Anyway: What We Don’t Like to Admit About Love
We like to think love is a choice. But sometimes, the truest kind of love doesn’t ask for permission—it compels us. A reflection on what happens when compassion refuses to leave us alone.
When the Pack Moves On Without You
What do you do when you can’t keep believing like you always have—but speaking that truth costs you your place in the community that once felt like home? This is a story about faith, doubt, honesty, and the quiet grief of losing the pack.
You’re Not the Fixer, and That’s Okay
You were never meant to carry the weight of everyone else’s healing. Loving people well doesn’t mean fixing them—it means showing up, letting go of control, and trusting that presence and grace do more than pressure ever could.
Grace and Grit: A Simple Tagline with Big Meaning
“Grace and grit” isn’t just a tagline for me—it’s a reflection of two values that have shaped my life. In this post, I explore how both grace and grit play out in everyday situations and how these values guide my actions and interactions with others.
The Loan That Opened a Door—And the System That Shut It for Others
In 1979, a $2,500 loan helped launch my college journey—and my love for journalism. Today, that same dream leaves many students buried in debt. Somewhere along the way, the door stayed open for a few but slammed shut for the rest.
The Gift of the Spark
It’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it—that moment when work aligns with purpose. When your voice and your soul are in sync. When you’re doing what you’re meant to do.
The Red Clay Strays and the Complicated Joy of Discovering New Music
Discovering a new band is usually a simple joy. But these days, I find myself asking: who else is listening, and what does that say about the music — or about me? A reflection on The Red Clay Strays and the burden of cautious listening.
Too Good to Question: When Faith Feeds the Algorithm
A touching Facebook post about Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke made me pause—not just because it was fake, but because it reminded me how easily we fall for emotional manipulation when it feels good. From nostalgia-fueled hoaxes to emotionally engineered faith experiences, sometimes we need to ask: are we responding to truth… or just really good storytelling?
Floodwaters and Fault Lines
The past week is another reminder that natural disasters don’t care about borders or voting records. But maybe the most faithful response isn’t to explain the flood, but to wade into the grief and just be present. Just care.
The Misguided Mantra of the ‘Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaire’
Wealth is not the enemy—but pretending we’re already rich while defending the actual billionaires? That’s costing us more than we realize. This post explores the mythical imaginations of the “temporarily embarrassed millionaire” and why so many of us fight to protect a club we’ll never join.