Each starling adds to the beauty of a murmuration... in the same way, each story adds to the beauty of our life. Here are my stories.
Years ago, I felt like I had been dropped into someone else's hellacious life. I watched my life burn to the ground and all that remained was ash. In those painful moments I heard God speaking something significant about those ashes. He asked me to take the ash with me. He said, “Elise, don’t scatter the ashes. I have a purpose for them.”
Read MoreThe impossible desire of my heart is to find love again. It's ok to feel like it's impossible. That's how I'll know it’s the Lord when it does happen. It seems bigger than I can fathom and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Read MoreBefore he went out to face the giant David recognized the very thing meant to protect him was the very thing hindering him and weighing him down. So he took off the ill-fitting suit and went to the battlefield looking very much like himself.
Read MoreIn honor of Valentine’s Day and single adults ‘round the world: let us celebrate and laugh over the ridiculous conversations we’ve endured in our season of solitude. Admittedly, I would love to be taken out for dinner on the most romantic Thursday of 2019. But seeing as we are just days away from V-day and there are no suitors in sight I’ll choose to entertain myself and YOU with some of the oddest conversations I’ve experienced to date.
Read MoreGod doesn’t fault us for having limits, and He doesn’t expect us to be limitless. He doesn’t say, “You shouldn’t have a limit in this area of your life.”
Read MoreThe enemy of my soul was trying to sell me on the idea I was stuck in a cycle… and I almost bought it. In a twisted way, my hopelessness made me feel like my issue fell under special circumstances. We do this all the time. We take our problems and explain to God why He can’t fix them.
Read More“We didn’t go to see stuff. We went to see people. We went to see our people… and when you’re with your people there’s no pressure to perform.”
Read MoreAfter my divorce, I was told by well-meaning friends and family, “You’re going to have men beating down your door to date you.” LIES!!! This has absolutely not been my experience. Not that I would even want this to happen anyway. Honestly, that sounds like a lot of drama and stress.
Over the past three years my dating life has consisted of one confusing night out. (ONE!)
[Insert cricket noises here]
Enter: “The Story”
Read MoreI was recently sitting in a meeting at work and as things were winding down everyone was asked about their plans for the upcoming holiday. Some were hosting family, others were going out of town, some were even making several stops in one day (like Jay and I used to do). Then it was my turn. I opened my mouth to reply, but my throat clenched shut and tears welled up in my eyes. I knew I was sad, but I didn’t realize how sad until that moment. Three years ago I said goodbye to holidays with my in-laws and pumpkin pie for breakfast. This year, I say goodbye to a Boston accent, hilarious stories told from across the pond, and the smell of my mom’s famous sourdough rolls. Every few years our Thanksgiving table gets smaller and smaller. I didn’t realize how much I was still grieving the loss of these traditions until I was sitting in a meeting trying to choke back tears.
Read MoreBecause of our unhealthy family culture it is assumed any major disagreement will result in a line being drawn through your name. My fight reflex is wee bit over-exercised and, recently, that scrappy ol’ broad came out ready to swing during an intense conversation with my mom. I held her back as best I could. (My inner Bon Qui Qui… not my mom.) But, despite my efforts, I let my emotions win and my words were cutting.
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