by Jessica Bolyard | Sep 6, 2012 | Faith, Family, Fellowship
I am amazed by the ways my little girl teaches me. I think that’s how it often is for many of us: in becoming parents, we think we’re going to be the teachers. We think it’s all up to us to impart knowledge and life skills and directions for life. On good days, we...
by Jessica Bolyard | Aug 28, 2012 | Faith, Family, Fellowship
An early morning news show yesterday morning had me huffing and “tsk”ing at the screen the same way I’ve seen men scream and shout at football games. The story I was watching wasn’t particularly controversial. It wasn’t about politics or religion. It didn’t attack...
by Jessica Bolyard | Aug 23, 2012 | Faith
Ever since I began my journey with Christ, I have felt a little like a project – a work in progress. I feel like I should walk around, most of the time, with a sign on my chest: “Please pardon my mess. I’m under construction.” Sometimes it feels healthy. I know...
by Jessica Bolyard | Aug 21, 2012 | Faith, Fellowship
I love movies. I love the feeling of getting lost in a story that’s nothing like my own story line. There’s something in my anxious personality that relishes any chance I get to become engrossed in something far from my reality. Someone else’s story sometimes gives...
by Jessica Bolyard | Aug 16, 2012 | Faith
This morning, soon after my daughter woke up, something caught her eye. “Mama, LOOK! M’s! Lots and lots of M’s! I see them, do you?!” She was so excited – so pleased with herself and with whatever it was that she was seeing. Eager to get on board with the...
by Jessica Bolyard | Aug 1, 2012 | Faith, Fellowship
One thing I’ve learned as the mother of an inquisitive three year old is that if I am going to do something, I should have a real reason why I’m doing it. I need to live intentionally. I need to be able to offer an explanation for anything I choose to do…or rather, I...
by Jessica Bolyard | Jul 26, 2012 | Faith
“One reason we struggle with insecurity: We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.” Steven Furtick The other day, as my little girl groggily woke up from her nap, she asked me what was under her bed. I was thinking quickly (or maybe not...
by Jessica Bolyard | Jul 21, 2012 | Faith, Family
Let down your guard, and it will steal your heart. There’s no thief like fear. –Jason Gray, “No Thief Like Fear” Am I really living? Or am I just existing, hiding away? The world is full of danger. But if I never try to go outside my heart will waste away. -J.J....
by Jessica Bolyard | Jul 7, 2012 | Faith, Family
Bedtime, I think, is one of the most challenging times a parent can face. I’ve jokingly said that it would be a lot easier to handle if it didn’t come at the very end of the day, when everyone is exhausted and at the point of just trying to survive. (I say this with...
by Jessica Bolyard | Jun 19, 2012 | Faith, Family
On a recent afternoon, I found myself circling the brick pathway around my house looking for snails. It had rained earlier in the day, and apparently snails like that. (This was news to me.) When I took my daughter outside to play after being cooped up in the house...
