Positively (Im)perfect

I turned 30 last week. I’m not sure what my “younger” self thought 30 would be like, but the whole 30 thing definitely happened a lot sooner, was a lot less foreboding, and was much less of a big deal than I think I imagined. As far as “sooner,” I certainly feel a lot younger than I used to think 30 was (although my body's still acting way too old and frail internally for its external appearance). As far as “not foreboding,” I’m actually very happy to finally join the decade in which the rest of my sea of mom-friends exist (although I don’t love the gray hairs that come with the territory). And as far as “not a big deal,” the day involved much less fanfare than it could have, and for that I’m very grateful. At least now. My loving husband asked me a few months ago what I wanted to do for the ‘big’ day, and I had something in mind that was nice, but a little more pricey than our current situation allows—and, after getting all pouty thinking about what I “couldn’t have

No words can ever do today justice, so mine are few--except to say that you, dear families and souls, are not forgotten. Thirteen or fifty or a thousand years can't erase the significance or their worth. My feelings now more than ever echo those of past years, particularly last year: THE ACHE There is an inexpressible ache for  it  in our world- Etched into the walls of our nations Into the stark white of headstones And the cold steel of ebony bracelets Written into the stories of our hearts Our hearts so weighted Weighted with grief and limping forward on the shoulder of hope Waiting Waiting for the day when other nations Will also collapse at the foot of our graves in tears Run their fingers along the names etched in the walls Offer an embrace so telling that no language barrier could cloud its meaning Waiting For the day when we as a nation will deign to do the same When our tears will water their soil When our ears will open to their stories of tormen

About two months ago, my lovely friend Jenna from my online prayer group floated a fun little idea: "I'm thinking of starting a devotional site for women based on each day's scripture readings," she said. "Women writing for women, in the trenches of life together supporting each other and reflecting on God's word." She asked if I'd like to be part of it, and I was honored to jump on board immediately. The prudent freelancer in me will write the spectrum, of course, but this is the kind of niche writing I've always dreamed of. I couldn't wait to start writing and sharing devotions along with the other unbelievably talented and faithful women on the team. It seemed like the launch date for the devotions--September 1st--was so far away! In the mean time, Jenna set up the website, Facebook page, Twitter account, Pinterest account, and we also got going on Instagram with some beautiful images and mini reflections. Wi