Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Jan 5Member-onlyAm I Expecting Too Much?Looking for affection where it doesn’t exist — Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it’s not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long. Amy Grant Last night, our only night alone together all week, my husband decided to stay up until 4:00 a.m. to play Candy Crush. I…Relationships5 min readRelationships5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Dec 22, 2022Member-onlyThe Lonely MarriageIt would be too easy to say that I feel invisible. Instead, I feel painfully visible, and entirely ignored. — David Levithan I could blame our schedules. You work nights, I work days. Maybe our schedules are the reason I feel this way, this giant hole in the center of…Marriage4 min readMarriage4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Nov 30, 2022Member-onlyLink Between Epstein Barr and CeliacCan the virus that causes mono trigger celiac? — Seven years ago, I was miserable. My stomach was in a constant state of upheaval, my very bones ached, I was so fatigued that daily function was almost impossible, and I had an itchy rash that no amount of creams or salves would soothe. I had also packed on about…Celiac Disease6 min readCeliac Disease6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Nov 29, 2022Member-onlyThe Stepparent ShuffleHow to evolve over time — Recently my stepdaughter wrote me a letter. In her cute little seven-year-old scrawl, spread across the blank paper in blue crayon, were the words: Thank you for helping me love the inside of me. That letter now proudly hangs on my fridge, right next to a picture of her and…Blended Family8 min readBlended Family8 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Oct 5, 2022Member-onlyMaking Post-Evangelical Amends“It’s funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.” ― Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief This flag hangs on the wall above my desk. Every day, while I’m posting payments and reconciling invoices, I see it. …Human Rights7 min readHuman Rights7 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Jul 15, 2022Member-onlyWhite Evangelical Women, This is All Your FaultI should know. I was one of you. — The US is an out-of-control train hurtling down the track on it’s way to becoming a theocracy, fueled by the coal of the Christian nationalism being spewed from evangelical pulpits across the nation. How did we get here? The answer, my friends, isn’t as cut and dried as you think. …Womens Rights9 min readWomens Rights9 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Apr 12, 2022Member-onlyDear Evangelicals: My Trauma is RealStop Devaluing the Experiences of Those Who Leave — “In the South, Christianity was as ubiquitous as sweet tea and country music. Questioning my religion meant questioning how the entire world worked and my very identity.” ― Natalie M. Esparza, Spectacle: Discover a Vibrant Life through the Lens of Curiosity I recently posted a story discussing how the modern…Christianity9 min readChristianity9 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Mar 29, 2022Member-onlyThe Evangelical Church is Running ScaredAnd their fear is dangerous — The American white evangelical church is terrified, and that should worry you. It’s no secret that there is an exodus taking place. People are leaving the evangelical church in droves. Hashtags like #exvangelical and #deconstruction are popping up all over social media. TikTok has a multitude of creators dedicated to…Deconstruction11 min readDeconstruction11 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Feb 26, 2022Member-onlyThe Life of Unrealistic ExpectationsI’m tired — Be perfect. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Don’t show your fear, or your disgust, or your anger. Stay calm. Disguise your feelings behind a perfect smile and pressed blouse. Be understanding when you’re passed over for the promotion but still asked to do the work of…Depression4 min readDepression4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Feb 8, 2022Member-onlyBeing StuckAnd How to Get Out — “It’s like a maze. Moment I start thinking I’m getting somewhere, I turn a corner and come up against a dead end. Or find myself back where I started.” ― Robert Galbraith, Troubled Blood Know what I think is the biggest issue facing most of us today? I mean, there…Motivation3 min readMotivation3 min read
