“a good story in which to learn to fail”

I just finished reading Lauren Winner’s new book Still.  It’s a series of reflections on life after losing her mom, ending her marriage and trying to figure out if the God she once passionately confessed is really there at all. Life, as she says, “in the middle.” In some places I found myself revelling in her soul-pricking insight while others [...]

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Finding Freedom with Anita Lustrea

Five years ago my husband, two kids and I pulled into the driveway of our new house in the Chicago suburbs, a geographic region roughly four times larger than any place we’d lived before. Other than a few people we casually encountered during my husband’s job interview process, we didn’t know a single soul. Not one. It was three days before [...]

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Grace, Goodness and Thanksgiving

“How have you seen God’s grace in your life?” It was the question posed to about 80 of us in a Sunday morning classroom. Without much thought, the guy to my left started talking about how thankful he was that he had such a great family and a beautiful home to share life in. The talk [...]

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The Wrong Question

My friend Adele and I were hiking when she asked me a question I’ve been turning in my mind for the better part of four years. We were ruminating about the future — plans and passion and dreams — and I was rambling on about all the things I wanted to be when I grew up. I was secretly hoping she’d be impressed with my [...]

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