cultivating the beautiful ordinary by sharing our tales and our tables
“I’m wondering what you would think about me going to the parade this weekend?” His eyes were locked on mine, searching for the first sign of hesitation or judgement. I don’t know what he saw for sure. I wanted to be that mom full of “yes” energy, cheering him on and making sure he knew…
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When my husband told me that our sixteen year old had come out to him as transgender, I laughed. I thought it was some weird joke I didn’t understand. John may as well have said Sam was on a spaceship headed toward Jupiter. I was shocked and confused; it made no sense to me. “Bring…
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My heart breaks into pieces as I listen to the words my sister-in-law has received since announcing her engagement to her girlfriend. Anger mixes with grief as tears line the rims of my reddened eyelids. Each of these messages blatantly tell her that what she is doing is wrong and that the people closest to…
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Four years ago, on a wintery morning, a fierce, truth-telling woman whom I cherish as my elder told me something I have never forgotten: “You can’t know where this story leads. All you can do is look at this moment and do the next right thing.” At the time, we were speaking of a romantic…
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In 1998, we moved from San Antonio to Portland. Katy was heading into 3rd grade, Allison was starting kindergarten, and Steve was ready for pre-school. We experienced culture shock as we settled into our home in early September. The days quickly grew shorter and clouds and rain replaced sunny blue skies.
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It was 2008 when Katy Perry launched her hit song, “I Kissed a Girl [and I liked it].” I worked in a conservative ministry at the time and watched as “church-people” gasped and shook their heads as if the world had reached a new depth of wickedness.
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Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free Rolling as a mighty ocean In its fullness over me -S.Trevor Francis “Where was he? Why didn’t he stop it? How could he let it happen?” The words tumbled out of her mouth as we sat together holding the weight of her sexual abuse.…
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I swayed gently, soaking up the presence of the Holy Spirit. I sang to God, asked questions, declared His goodness and promises, yielded to His heart and word, stretching my soul before Him.
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When I was in high school, there was a girl named Becca who was labeled as the social outcast.
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