Try Harder

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8–9)

When I was in the eighth grade, a new basketball coach came to my school. He was young, and the community had high hopes for what he would do for our team. His style of coaching brought out the best in us—and in me. He saw potential in me, and he would often stay after practice to give me extra help. He taught me how to shoot a proper layup and how to develop a rhythm for free throws. Years later, as a senior, that training paid off when I became number eight in the state of Oklahoma for free throw percentage. Continue reading “Try Harder”

Finding My Way Back to Center

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Ps. 71:5)

Several months ago, my workload increased to the point where I was working upwards of ten to twelve hours a day, seven days a week, consistently for almost four months. While I was excited that my business was doing so well, working those kinds of hours took a toll. I let a number of things slide—things like my blogs and social media posts and my next cozy mystery—things I had worked hard to build but didn’t have time to maintain. I didn’t participate in get togethers with friends because I had deadlines to meet. I stopped reaching out as much. I started reading books and Bible studies that I still haven’t finished. Continue reading “Finding My Way Back to Center”