My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing
3 Quirky Things About Me!
Three quirky things to know about me: My wardrobe is becoming entirely composed of white and navy blue. When I traveled to Florida to speak
Friday Favorites: The Best of Enemies
If you like true stories that are also inspirational and suggest that love really can overcome hatred and fear, you have to watch The Best
Small Talk Book Birthday
I got to hold a baby yesterday. A bright-eyed baby who smells soft and sweet (I know—how does someone smell soft, but she really did)
Why I Need to Follow Black Jesus
For years, the idea of “Black Jesus” confused me. I understood why we needed to subvert the all-too-familiar image of Jesus as blonde-haired and blue-eyed.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Awareness Would Be Enough
I used to think that “awareness” was too small a word for what we need in order to change the perceptions and reality for people
God Works in Small, Hidden Ways
Slow, local, messy. Small, hidden, unnoticed. Patient, gentle, kind. These are the words I tend to use to describe the work of God’s Spirit in
Waiting and Sharing and Parenting
“I really need my own laptop for school.” I’m not going to name which child uttered these words, because they each feel the same way.
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 10 | Three New Books
Ending the day without anxiety. Receiving spiritual truth and practical wisdom from another mother of a child with a disability. And entering into a story
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: The Apple Doesn’t Fall From the Tree
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That’s what my sister wrote to me after I showed her an email from Penny. Penny, unprompted,
Advent Devotional: Prepare Him Room
I love the spiritual side of Christmas. I’d love to offer you a way to remember and reflect on the spiritual side of Christmas this
S5 E4 | What’s So Controversial About Critical Race Theory? with David Bailey
We’ve heard the rhetoric that demonizes Critical Race Theory. But should citizens of the Kingdom of God have a different response? David Bailey, executive director
How Can We Be Both “Broken” and “Wonderfully Made”?
How we can be both broken creatures and creatures who are “fearfully and wonderfully made” all at the same time? I’ve been thinking a lot
Slowing Down in Our Family’s Fast-Paced World
We’ve overbooked everyone. For the grownups: traveling for work, meetings for church, parent-teacher conferences, volunteer commitments, and the day-to-day of professional obligations. For our kids:
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 9 | Pleasant Surprises in Podcasts
Last week, Peter asked us all to go around the table and list one “pleasant surprise” from our day. I talked about Ezra Klein’s interview
Penny in Her Own Words: Down Syndrome, School, and Friends
My name is Penny and I have an extra chromosome because I have Down syndrome. In my daily life I wake up independently, make breakfast,
Talking About Disability
I remember this time, back when Penny was really little, when we were at a birthday party together and another mom was there with her
“The Clock Is My Humility”
Every day, I fight against time. I see time as an adversary. I try new tactics to see if I can somehow win, today, and
Healing Is Not an Achievement
Healing is not an achievement. It is not something where if we just work long enough, just eat the right foods or say the right
Lying and God’s Desire for Repentance, Not Perfection
One of our children lied to me the other day. It wasn’t a big lie. It was the type of lie I’ve told before—where I
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 8 | So Many Good Books
I had totally forgotten that fall is a book publishing bonanza. There are SO many good books coming out right now, I definitely can’t keep
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: A Few Things I Love
In honor of Down syndrome awareness month, I wanted to name a few things that I appreciate about our daughter Penny. One, that Penny moves
Speaking In Person for the First Time Since February 2020
Travel day yesterday…en route to speak in person for the first time since February of 2020! Can’t wait to talk with students at Asbury University
S5 E3 | The Spaciousness of Limits with Ashley Hales
A life without limits is part of the American dream. But what if living within limits is the key to a spacious life? What
What if I Want To Name-Drop the God of Love?
Have you ever felt really proud to know someone? I’m thinking of growing up with someone who becomes a celebrity. I have one such person
Book Birthday: White Picket Fences Turns 3
“White Picket Fences tackles one of the thorniest topics of our time and illuminates it with honesty, humility, and hope.” — Andy Crouch “Warm, honest,
A Glimpse of Belonging at the Beginning of Down Syndrome Awareness Month
I dream of a world where everyone belongs. Last weekend, Penny was a bridesmaid in her old-babysitter-best-friend-for-life’s wedding, and I got a little glimpse of
The Wisdom of God
How do you know how to live so that it will go well for you and your family? How do you know whether to pursue
Collaborative Spaces: One Step Between Exclusion and Belonging
We need to begin envisioning and creating collaborative spaces for the work of justice, reconciliation, and healing. I wrote yesterday about how we cannot skip
You Can’t Move from Exclusion to Belonging in One Step
When it comes to the work of undoing systemic injustice in America, many of us want to skip to the end of the story, from
Is Personal Healing Opposed to Social Healing?
I used to act as though personal healing and social healing were opposed to each other. If I make time to take care of myself,
