When many of us plan for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we envision large gatherings around the dinner table and loved ones sprawled out in the living room opening gifts. Unfortunately, things will look different for many of us this year. The risk of spreading COVID will lead many of us to choose smaller gatherings or perhaps even no … [Read more...] about Why Gratitude Isn’t a Panacea During Tough Times
current events
What Does God’s Peace Look Like?
In order to prepare my heart for the Thanksgiving holiday, I usually begin each November with a post on the topic of gratitude. However, to be honest, I’m not thinking about gratitude that much today. I’m quite distracted with thoughts of the election (which is tomorrow) and with the deep divisions that characterize our nation right now. … [Read more...] about What Does God’s Peace Look Like?
9 Simple Strategies for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
In recent weeks I’ve heard numerous friends and family members comment that they just want to be able to sleep again. For the most part, these loved ones aren’t suffering from medical conditions that prevent them from sleeping; they’re simply overwhelmed by all that is going on around them (COVID-19, natural disasters, financial struggles, … [Read more...] about 9 Simple Strategies for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
7 Tips for Having Constructive Conversations About Politics
In Ecclesiastes, a short book in the Old Testament, a wise teacher states that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The longer I live, the more I see this statement validated. For example, four years ago I shared tips for having respectful conversations about politics because the political scene was volatile, with candidates … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Having Constructive Conversations About Politics
How to Avoid Falling for Urban Legends, Rumors, and Conspiracy Theories
The spread of misinformation is not a new phenomenon. However, because we have access to multiple tools (email, text messaging, social media, etc.) that quickly spread messages to numerous individuals, urban legends, rumors, and conspiracy theories spread more quickly and reach more individuals than they used to. These forms of … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Falling for Urban Legends, Rumors, and Conspiracy Theories
7 Tips for Getting Kids to Wear Face Masks
If you would have told me last year that in one year I would be writing a post about getting kids to wear face coverings in order to limit the spread of a novel coronavirus, I would not have believed you. However, here we are, facing a pandemic that none of us were expecting. Many of us live in states and/or cities where mandatory mask … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Getting Kids to Wear Face Masks
Christmas in July: Christmas Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
I’ve written one or two Christmas in July posts each year since I began blogging. For the most part, these posts address how to plan for Christmas early so the Christmas season isn’t busy and chaotic (see all of the posts here). This year we’re in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic. Though we don’t know for certain what things will look like … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Christmas Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
High-Touch Surfaces: When and How to Clean
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when soap and cleaning supplies weren’t available because consumers had made panic purchases of everything stores had on their shelves, I heard some folks joke that before the pandemic people must not have been washing their hands or cleaning their homes on a regular basis. Of course, most … [Read more...] about High-Touch Surfaces: When and How to Clean