little stories in light of the big story
In November of 1820, a massive sperm whale intentionally slammed into the whaling ship Essex. In a matter of hours, the 238 ton ship was sunk, by a single whale. The crew of the Essex, a total of twenty-one, survived in the smaller whaleboats used to ride out and harpoon whales to extract oil and [...]
My bedroom window looks out on our pasture. Grass enclosed by an old fence stretches all the way to the tree line at the back of the property. The old weathervane on one of the fence posts sways gently when the wind blows, and if you're outside at the right time you can hear it [...]
"All music is created equal." I remember my piano teacher telling me this after I informed her the piece she'd just assigned was "too hard" for me to sight read. She sat there, took a sip of her coffee and bounced her baby on the knee before continuing, "You know how to read music, Madelyn. [...]
Several months ago I had the pleasure of sitting down to discuss books and writing with Jaquelle Ferris, the author of This Changes Everything and podcast host of Age of Minority. It was a pleasure to talk with her. I hope you enjoy what she had to say as much as I did! Tell us [...]
Summer is usually my most productive time as a reader. But not this year. This summer I read the first volume of Elisabeth Elliot's biography, and the first 141 pages of The Fellowship of the Ring. The slow plodding through the latter is in part due to the fact that as much as I love [...]
Sweet baby sister of mine, I can't believe you're here. You'll learn to sit up as I take college finals. You'll crawl across the room as I drive myself to work. You'll take your first steps as I walk the stage to receive a diploma. You'll start Kindergarten as I pursue my career. You'll struggle [...]
In January I set a goal to write one blog post a month. My schedule has consistently increased in activity over the last several months and I knew anything more rigorous would, in the words of a lady at church, "not be wisdom." Once a month. I could do that. I wanted do it. I [...]
It was dusk and I was driving through the Midwestern country roads on my way home from babysitting for some friends. Peter Hollens' album of folk songs played softly in my car, and the wind rushed through the open windows blowing my hair all around. But my heart was heavy. As I wound out of [...]
It doesn't make sense. I don't understand why people kill other people out of anger. I don't understand why an invisible virus can both take and destroy lives with the fierceness of a great army. I don't understand why people we love get cancer. I don't understand why the dearest of friends are pitted against [...]
Panic attacks, nightmares, and anxieties surrounding conflict or change have long been large parts of my life. I remember when I was little, I would dream that my Dad would be mortally wounded by an escaped evil warrior with an undetectable poison disguised as a Reese's cup while traveling. (I'd like to take this moment [...]
The Corner Shelf 