Remember that you own what happened to you. If your childhood was less than ideal, you may have been raised thinking that if you told the truth about what really went on in your family, a long bony white finger would emerge from a cloud and point to you, while a chilling voice thundered, "We *told* you not to tell." But that was then. Just put down on paper everything you can remember now about your parents and siblings and relatives and neighbors, and we will deal with libel later on.

That thing you had to force yourself to do-the actual act of writing-turns out to be the best part.

No one can appropriate God, goodness, the Bible or Jesus. It just seems that way.

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.

But easy's like, who cares? Easy's like, how much is easy going to get you?

Pay attention to the beauty surrounding you.

Age has given me what I was looking for my entire life - it gave me me. It provided the time and experience and failures and triumphs and friends who helped me step into the shape that had been waiting for me all my life...I not only get along with me most of the time now, I am militantly and maternally on my own side.