In the last several months, stretching became a familiar routine in my life. Literally. But yesterday, it expanded to a metaphorical one as well. Before my accident, I exercised somewhat regularly so stretching was an essential part of keeping my body from harm. When I tried to eliminate it in order to save a few […]
five minute friday
Watching My Son Commit to Discerning His God Given Design
Sometimes our hopes for our kids align with their own desires. And it’s a pleasant surprise. When we, as parents, release our teens-suddenly now- young adults into the world, we are well aware of their fears, comforts, and quirks. Truthfully we all have them. But maturity also plays a role in recognizing them. Some of […]
Reflecting on the Importance of Deep Family Roots
“I miss Granny’s meatloaf.” my young adult son mentioned on the phone the other day. The comment seemed random as we weren’t actually talking about my husband’s beloved grandmother. Interestingly, it was the second comment in a two week span about missing one of her delicious food creations. Granny passed away almost seven years ago. […]
The Holy Work of Holding Our Big Kids’ Hands
It never occurred to me, as a new parent, the possibility that holding hands would never end. I realize now, it just changes posture. Originally, big hand and small hand clasped together, United. Connection. Security. Protection. But as the smaller hand grew , the strength of the grasp started to lessen. Independence beckoned, as it […]
Embracing the Determination to Walk Forward While Healing Unfolds
Currently, I recognize that healing has its own timeline. This truth is not new to me. I have my history of wounds, both physically and emotionally. I also have engaged with plenty of others who have navigated through brokenness, including my own child. https://stephaniejthompson.com/archives/1470 But sometimes the implications of healing don’t really register until they […]
Recognizing The Kingdom of God Unfolds Everywhere
What does a snapshot of the church look like? A few years ago, I received an invitation to a difficult task: to preside over the funeral of a young woman who who died after a struggle with substance addiction. I am an ordained pastor. This part of the job is never easy. It demands recognizing […]
