My husband and I have reflected several times over the last few weeks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a magnifying glass over numerous issues we have in our society. The pandemic hasn’t caused these issues, but it certainly has highlighted them. Among these issues is the way Americans perceive and treat our elderly. COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Why Do Americans Place So Little Value on Older Adults?
serving others
How to Love Your Neighbors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Life looks a lot different today than it normally does, but being under lockdown because of a pandemic doesn’t exempt us from the tenets of our faith, including that of loving our neighbors. We’re supposed to be “social distancing,” which means we can’t be in close proximity to our neighbors. Given this, how exactly can we do things to … [Read more...] about How to Love Your Neighbors During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Moving Beyond Political Correctness to Kindness
I hear the term “politically correct” on a regular basis. Usually I hear it when someone is trying to describe individuals from a particular social identity group (individuals of a particular religion, individuals with a particular skin color, etc.). Until recently, I hadn’t given much thought to the term. However, I’ve thought about it … [Read more...] about Moving Beyond Political Correctness to Kindness
Should We Celebrate The Thanksgiving Holiday?
When I was a young child, my teachers taught me a whitewashed version of the “first Thanksgiving.” We learned about a harmonious celebration between the Pilgrims and “Indians.” I remember one year we even dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians to reenact the first Thanksgiving feast. Thankfully, most Americans are now aware that this … [Read more...] about Should We Celebrate The Thanksgiving Holiday?
Check On Your Friends
A few days ago I received a simple text message from a friend. She stated that I had come to her mind earlier in the day and she wanted to see how I was doing. There wasn’t anything extraordinary about this message, but it really meant something to me. I was doing fine—my day had not been anything out of the ordinary—but I felt cared for and … [Read more...] about Check On Your Friends
Intentional Acts of Kindness Calendar for February
At the start of each February, I tend to think a little bit about love. I think about how to better love my husband, of course, but I also try to be intentional about showing love to my family, my friends, and my neighbors. Love is at the very heart of the Christian faith (Matthew 22:37-40). In showing love to those around us, we model … [Read more...] about Intentional Acts of Kindness Calendar for February
14 Alternatives to “How Are You?”
When I encounter friends or acquaintances, it’s typical for me to greet them with a perfunctory “How are you?” They generally respond with cursory answers (e.g., fine, okay, good). Despite the fact that we exchange a few words, these conversations aren’t particularly personal or meaningful. The routine way in which I ask how they are doing … [Read more...] about 14 Alternatives to “How Are You?”
Practicing Hospitality with Large Families
As my family has grown in number, it has become challenging to practice hospitality. It is especially tricky when we want to welcome a large family into our home for a meal. Where will everyone sit? Can we afford to feed everyone? Do I even have enough bowls for everyone to use? Thankfully, with a little advanced planning, I’ve been … [Read more...] about Practicing Hospitality with Large Families
