Have you ever come back from a trip eager to share your experience? Twelve years ago, my husband, son, and I took a day trip across the Belize border into Mexico. It was nearly midnight when we reached a section of the highway with undeveloped […]
Tag: spiritual journey
Hand Over the Shoes
“Hand over the shoes, and no one gets hurt.” This statement, from one of the most passionate Christian women I know, made me laugh hard. And it’s my favorite from my social media posts. I purchased green shoes to match the emerald ring my husband […]
Eat the Bread, Drink the Water
Satiety. (Suh-tie-uh-tee) You know the feeling of fullness that persists after eating? That’s satiety. It’s a complex process involving several factors, including the type and amount of food, along with the person’s individual metabolism. I don’t know about you, but oftentimes my cravings, the type […]
Nothing Like the Real Thing
For the past 11 years, I’ve lived without daily bread. Being gluten-free in a developing country means making it yourself, or going without. So, I’ve gone without. Pancakes, waffles, or corn tortillas served as temporary replacements. In the beginning, I told myself that I didn’t […]
The Sin of Not Praying
I don’t even know her. She’s a friend of a friend. Each time she messaged me, it was to provide an update on her physical, emotional, or financial situation. Her “pray for me right now” arrived in my inbox at strange hours. I’ve heard that […]
When Will the Bleeding Stop?
A plate came barreling down on my forehead one dreadful night in July two years ago. Blood soaked my glasses, covered my hands, and dripped on the floor. My crime was opening a cabinet door. Crying out to the Lord in the emergency room, I wailed, […]
What if You’re Strong But Not Courageous?
“Hey, strong gyal, you gonna be here on Sunday? We need you to roll that stone away!” He cracked himself up with his joke both times he told it. Once to me and then again to our pastor. I didn’t mind. I even used this […]
I Didn’t Know it Would be You!
With a smile that lit up the room, she walked toward me, saying, “When I heard that a Ms. Sharp would be speaking, I didn’t know it would be you!” We were at a Girls’ Sleepover for her church, face-to-face, for the first time. We […]
The Secret Power of Small Beginnings
I arrived at the gym that morning fully armed with well-rehearsed excuses dressed up as reasons to quit. While others managed to lift twenty or thirty pounds, the weight of the five-pound dumbbell in my left hand was nearly unbearable. Sweat trickled down my back […]
Our Choices Matter
Have you ever tried plantains? The ripe ones are sweet and when baked or fried they make a tasty treat. A common meal in Belize would feature rice, beans, and stewed chicken with a few slices of fried plantains on the side. The other day […]