Imagine being the wife of the prophet Isaiah. The wife of the man who tradition suggests was sawed in two by King Manasseh. What might you have said to him when he came home after a long day at work? “Isaiah - the people and leaders - they’re not happy, Isaiah. Hold back, Isaiah. Don’t speak so strongly, Isaiah. Say something easier to hear, Isaiah. You’re a father and husband. I need … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Goat Curse
I’ve always been a fan of the underdog. Radically so. Even to the point of sometimes switching allegiances because “my team” was playing against the underdog team. Whether it’s because they’re the underdogs, or simply a best-loved team, or some other reason, the Cubs seemed to become America’s sweetheart team in last fall's World Series. Before the World Series of 2016, I hadn’t … [Read more...]
Becoming Great by Becoming Small
“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” Who said that? If you’re a Harry Potter fan like many of my children, you probably recognize this quote from a conversation between Sirius Black and Hermione Granger in The Goblet of Fire. Sirius was not the first to originate this idea, as many before him said similar things. … [Read more...]
I Love You, But…
Who among us hasn’t uttered the words, “I love you, but I don’t like your actions?” Parenting seems to bring that statement out a lot. You adore the child God has entrusted to you, yet sometimes cringe at their choices, decisions and actions. It’s easy to turn the gaze inward, and question yourself, thinking, “What did I do wrong? Where did I lead them astray?” And yet we know that … [Read more...]