My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing

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,

Welcome! (And Did You Know…)
I love that there are new people joining this community every day, and I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself (unofficially) to all

A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 7 | Words of Hope
I have both read and listened to so much thoughtful, wise, hopeful writing and conversation this week. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy some

Ten-Book Giveaway: Racism, Privilege, Social Healing, and Faith
I’ve teamed up with some awesome authors for a TEN-BOOK giveaway! You can win all TEN of these books, which are all about privilege, racism,