Red Tent Living

Surviving the Sea

By: redtentwomen August 2, 2021July 16, 2021

Day to Day, Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesBecky Allender, Being a grandmother, Being Known, Generations, Heart2 Comments

“Curiosity killed the cat” is an aphorism that warns us to stay safe at home. It suggests it is dangerous to dream, wander, and explore. All exploration is a call to enter mystery that may intrigue but also harm. We know the greatest mystery is the thin realm that divides what can be seen from what is unseen. Romans…

A Second Chance

By: redtentwomen July 30, 2021June 21, 2021

Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, relationshipsAdvocacy, Conflict Resolution, Confrontation, forgiveness, Madeline Bialecki, ReconciliatonLeave a Comment

As I reflect on Genesis 3:8, the word “hid” catches my attention, and a memory comes back to me from when I worked at an organization called Citizen Advocates. My job was to recruit local community members to become advocates for people who had developmental disabilities and no one in their lives to speak up…

A Modest Proposal

By: redtentwomen July 28, 2021June 16, 2021

Faith, Femininity, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesBeauty, Church, Devan Grayson, Femininity, self image, Shame1 Comment

“You can take off your mask now and check your hair and your lips,” the photographer says as I get ready to take my headshots for work. Check my lips? Oh, right. Women wear lipstick. “My lips always look the same, so they should be fine,” I quip back. As I glance in the mirror, I…

Uncovering the Masked Face

By: redtentwomen July 26, 2021June 22, 2021

Day to Day, Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, TravelChaos, Christy Bauman, Control, COVID-19, Pandemic, Resting, Separation2 Comments

I didn’t realize how long I had been holding my breath. The sun beams through the oval-shaped window of the plane. I consider if an oval is the correct shape to attribute to an aircraft window, and I reflect on my six-year-old daughter’s tears yesterday at not getting her shapes correct in online school. I…

What It All Means

Snooze, snooze, snooze. One week ago, four days ago, thirteen hours ago. As the dampened street reflects an early Saturday morning shower, my email inbox sprinkles out reminders set from the past week. A musical playlist, a “must read again,” and “your story doesn’t end here” (thank you, God!) fill the subject lines of emails,…

Healing on the Beach

By: redtentwomen July 21, 2021July 20, 2021

Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, relationshipsGrief, inner healing, loneliness, Morgan Green, Peace, Stones1 Comment

There were stones along the beach as far as I could see. They stretched out into the water a little way—so many stones to be searched through and discovered. I walked through the cold water, head down, searching. I spotted something, bent down, reached through the water, and picked it up. Suddenly, I was no…

You. Are. Here.

By: redtentwomen July 19, 2021June 12, 2021

Day to Day, Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesComfort, doubt, illness, Lauri Smith, Learning to Trust, Safety2 Comments

Yep, here I am. Rockin’ my routine within the cozy confines of my comfort zone. I am not adventurous. I have a deep appreciation for structure and the beauty of things remaining the same. Uniformity. Straight Lines. Symmetry. I’ve got everything lined up in perfect rows just like I like it. When everything is as…

The Rage Room

By: redtentwomen July 16, 2021June 16, 2021

Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesEmbodiment, Listening to your body, Rachel Blackston, Rage9 Comments

Shards of glass shoot toward my protective eye goggles as I hear my husband grunt “Arrhhhh” as he swings a metal crowbar towards a 1970s beveled vase. I notice the nerves in the left side of my neck and a headache forming above my eye. My body is starting to slow down, and I feel…

Victorious in Him

By: redtentwomen July 14, 2021November 17, 2020

Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesAbuse, Audrey Ann, Childhood sexual abuse, Childhood Trauma, Counseling, Fathers, PTSD1 Comment

When I was a little girl, I had a best friend. He called me “Little Princess.” His hugs were protective. His smile was warm. He adored me and I adored him. We loved each other, and we both knew it. There was pure delight between us when we interacted. Then, one day, he moved away. Far away. I went from…

Refuge on the Rocks

By: redtentwomen July 12, 2021June 11, 2021

Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, TravelFear, Jill English, refuge, wilderness adventure3 Comments

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.—Psalm 46 It’s an odd choice, agreeing to join this…