I am someone else…

Posted in Stories
I have ADHD

I know what it’s like to be someone else.

You see, I’m mentally ill, as they say. Fortunately for me, my illness is quite treatable. So treatable, in fact, I know what it’s like to be a different person.

It all started about a year ago. I was giving a talk in church about focusing on what’s important. I suck at that because I have this insatiable habit of collecting hobbies. I have, at one time or another, obsessed over ballroom dancing, woodworking, photography, web design, cabin building, blacksmithing, primitive bow making, permaculture design, and, of course, novel writing. (This is a very condensed list of hobbies, mind you).

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My sins are better than yours

Posted in Stories
My sins are better than yours

Amber gave me cash to buy groceries, cuz that’s how we roll now-a-days (Dave Ramsey style). Said cash was to pay for groceries for a father/son camp-out. Bacon. Eggs. Hot dogs. Buns. But not a ketchup bottle. That’d be a waste. No, we’d source the ketchup from elsewhere.

I put said cash in the pockets of my basketball shorts.

Or did I?

I walk inside Walmart and reach inside my pocket to hand the cashier the money. No cash in my pockets. I must have left the money in the van. I instead pull cash from my personal fund with the intention of reimbursing myself later. Read more »

The Anger Ball

Posted in Stories
Keeping your cool in an argument

It’s been eleven years now since I learned that lesson. I was living in Michigan, serving as a missionary. For those unfamiliar with Mormon-dom, let me tell you about those fellows who wear white shirts, ties, and black name tags. The pair of them must be within eye sight of one another 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only break they get from one another is the occasional “trade-off” where they switch companions for a day.

And did I mention you don’t get to choose your companion?

And it can last anywhere from six weeks to six months (and sometimes more).

Guess what….. Read more »

How do you know when you’ve forgiven someone?

Posted in Stories
What does it mean to forgive?

I warn you now–I’m gonna lay it out there–exposed my sinful heart for the world to see. But maybe by doing that, I’ll find what I’m looking for.

How do you know when you’ve forgiven someone?

This question seems to pop on quite a bit in Sunday school. How do you know when you’ve forgiven someone?

Well. I don’t know if I have the answer. But I do have an answer that made a difference in my life. And, it changed my perspective too. Read more »

A message to dads: Keeping your cool isn’t enough

Posted in Stories
A dad who loves and forgives

Dear Men,

Let’s be dads. Let’s be the sort of dads who can forgive, speak with gentle voices to our children, and have our children feel loved.

(Thanks to Fife Photography for this lovely image).

Today’s story comes from a dad who, by his own admission, almost screwed this one up. (The dad has chosen to remain anonymous to protect the identity of his kids). So, without further ado, welcome an anonymous father! Read more »