My favorite piece of art isn’t a Monet, Renoir, or Michaelangelo. It isn’t priceless. My favorite work of art is a painting called, “Gold of Venice” by Marko Mavrovich. It is an impressionist style painting of the Venice canals. Most art critiques wouldn’t have it hanging on their walls but it is hanging on mine. You see there is an incredible story about how I came to own this beautiful painting.

No one really wants to admit that they discriminate or have prejudices. I still hate admitting what I am about to tell you. The fact that I fear this group of people and go out of my way to avoid engaging with them makes me sick. I have justified my discrimination as discernment for many years. Until recently.

I was turning toward home when I realized I needed a few things at the store. I picked up some fruit, dishwashing soap, and a loaf of bread. I was heading to checkout when I saw her. My new neighbor walking directly towards me. I knew it was her because she was wearing the same clothing I had seen her in only a few minutes before. This was the do or die moment. I knew God was calling me out to PRACTICE WHAT I PREACHED!

I waited outside in a dingy hallway of a casting agent’s office somewhere on the lower west side. The lighting was dull fluorescent and it smelled like a mixture of old shoes and a hundred years of dust. I sat with other wannabe actors. All of us nobodies just trying to get a break. I don’t remember anything about them other than I wasn’t alone.

“Where did the time go?” I ask myself this question regularly. I am a list maker which is helpful and discouraging all at once. I write down all the tasks I hope to accomplish in a day but often half of the list gets moved to tomorrow or next week or even next month if I am not careful. I realized that a few “time thieves” were the culprit of not getting things done. Here are the five biggest time thieves in my life and how I learned to stop them.

Does this sound familiar? You fall into bed and even though you are exhausted you run through the endless lists of tasks for tomorrow. You feel the pressure to keep hustling. Even though many of us are working from home and have limited activities thanks to the global pandemic we are still “striving” to get it all done. Did you know this endless rushing is actually an attack on a spiritual promise of rest God? We are meant to have rest. God not only gives us rest but it is one of the commands in His word. (Exodus 20:8-11) Let’s unpack these three lies we believe about rest so we can reclaim what is rightfully ours.

It’s that time of year where we all resolve to treat our bodies better than we did last year. I lead a pretty health conscious life but even I feel the need for a reboot come January. December always boasts too much chocolate, wine, and lounging. However, I recognize that setting goals that are too difficult to implement or simply have results too far in the future get abandoned. Here are five of my favorite healthy habits that are easy to start.

I just discovered there is a strange debate on whether or not Christians should set goals. The argument is if we set goals we cannot be led by the Holy Spirit. This is simply not biblical. While we don’t want to hold onto our goals so tightly we miss divine detours, we should make plans to accomplish the purposes God created us to complete. How do we do that well?

The gift of hospitality comes very natural to some. My mother is one of the world’s greatest hosts. Her photo should be next to “The hostess with the mostess,” in the urban dictionary. Everytime she invites people over they leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and wishing the party wouldn’t end. The interesting thing is her parties are not always the same and the guests cover a wide range of people. She hob-nobs with the elite and the common, the wealthy and the poor, the extroverts and the introverts. No matter who is sitting at her table I can almost guarantee they will leave her home feeling warm and cozy and hoping to get another invite soon. How does she do it?

The most fun family that I know is my own. I don’t say that to brag, but I love spending time with them, dreaming, vacationing, playing games, and exploring with them. They are my people. I’m grateful to be part of a family that pushes me to embrace having fun even when a tower of tasks are looming. Having a fun family requires intention. There are a few secrets of being a fun family that I have learned.