The Man Who Did Things Different

40 essays in around 100 words #10

Imagine the setting of Jesus for a moment–One Messiah after another had shown up, usurping power, gathering a mob, being defeated in a bloody battle with the empire. Then a Messiah came who didn’t need to gain power–He contained it all within Himself. He didn’t need angry rebels, zionist Zealots. He chose the defeated cripples, the demon-possessed, dishonorable women. He chose the hungry and the sad who thought they were cursed. He told them they are blessed in the Kingdom of God. The empire tried to trick, deceive, and kill him. But they couldn’t kill a man who chose to give his life away.

Can I Work Through Trauma Via My Cat?

40 essays in around 100 words #9

I have a traumatized cat. Truly, I do. She endured abuse at the hand of a narcissistic man, while being absolutely adored by the women of the household. Despite that love, she struggles to trust. She runs and hides at the sound of a man’s voice. She has attachment issues. I find myself speaking to her the way my therapist says I need to talk to myself–assuring her that she is loved and she does not need to be afraid. And it makes me wonder, can talking to my cat serve as a means to trauma healing?

My cat waffles enjoys passing her time staring at the birds outside. For the record, she can go outside, but she's just a bit too risk averse for that.

The Kingdom of God is Like a Banyan Tree

40 essays in around 100 words #8

The Kingdom of God is like a banyan tree. It shoots up from one center and then spreads as it wills–often defying man made buildings and structures. Countless trees plant themselves in the ground, growing off of the branches that all connect back to the original center. Sometimes it seems like a bunch of different trees, a forest even. But when you step back you see one big, beautiful tree with plenty of space inside for a party.

A very small portion of an incredible banyan tree in a village outside of Islamabad