The House You're Building

    Home decorating has become a cash-cow in the recent pandemic.  Stuck in their homes, more than ever people are using their quarantine to do major updates to their home decor  [1] .  In fact, I have several friends who used their time to do various projects like painting, updating bathrooms, and buying new furniture.  I wish I could say the pandemic inspired me to get out complete a home renovation, but if I’m honest I baked more and expanded my waistband instead.    Several years ago, my family had the privilege to build a house and at that time Hobby Lobby showed up quite frequency as a payee on my checkbook register.  I wanted everything new! At the time, dark woods and red tones were in fashion.  Because home decor styles change as quickly as everything else, soon after I had furnished my new residence blues we in.  No one will ever accuse me of being Joanna Gaines, so when my family moved 5 year...

  What would you say if you knew you were about to speak to someone for the last time?    As I ponder this question, a scene from pop culture comes to mind.    In the popular Harry Potter film series, Lupin and Kingsley have just fought a group of death-eaters as they transported Harry to the Burrow, a place of refuge.    To prove their identity to one another, as the enemy had been impersonating those in their order, they speak Dumbledore’s last words to one another: “Harry is the best hope we have.    Trust in him.” Last words are meant to be memorable and instructive.    In my own life, I can recall a last moment that will always stick with me.    One summer a few years back, my husband and I went to visit a spiritual mentor.    This pastor had discipled us, encouraged us, and married us.    He was like a spiritual father and having moved away, we hadn’t seen him in several years.    In vis...