five minute friday

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Encountering our shared humanity is uncomfortable at times. Several years ago, I, along with my then preschool aged two children, made a routine trip to the grocery store. As I pulled into my parking space, I suddenly realized my error. If you have ever hit or bumped into another car, you know the instant whirlwind […]

I have never been a fan of surprises. Chalk it up to a mixture of personality (enneagram 1), life experiences, and birth order, I like to be in control. I have written before about wanting to be in the front car of a rollercoaster so I can see what’s ahead. I admit I have experienced […]