Empowerment Gratitude joy Self care
Sarah’s Purse
I always knew it would be a great day when Sarah Goodson walked through the doors of our church carrying her big purse. Raised during the Depression on … Read More
Blog posts for Susan Sparks
All You Need is Love, a Tiara, and a Cupcake
How do you hold on to hope in the midst of despair? To answer that question, you can read the seven trillion self-help books on Amazon, or you … Read More
Gratitude Hope Judgment and Forgiveness Kindness Laughter Self care
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF JOY
(This piece was also featured as a nationally syndicated column with Gannett Media) I thought we all needed a reminder that joy can be found in all circumstances. You simply have to follow … Read More
We’re in the Same Boat Brother
Multiple tragedies have struck in the recent weeks, including the death of Tyre Nichols, mass shootings, and the continued bombing of Ukraine. This message is dedicated to finding … Read More
Hope joy Kindness Religion and Spirituality
A Place Called Grace
This column was also featured as a chapter in my book, “Miracle on 31st Street: Christmas Cheer Every Day of the Year — Grinch to Gratitude in 26 Days!” Some days, I just have an inordinate need for “grace.” And by “grace,” I mean the … Read More
Judgment and Forgiveness Justice Kindness
The Politics of Sweet Potato Casserole
This piece was featured as a nationally syndicated column with Gannett . Way more than politics and religion, my family’s passionate holiday fights revolve around food. Specifically, the … Read More
Cancer (and other road hazards) Empowerment Gratitude Hope Laughter Self care Uncategorized
Breast Cancer and the “F” Bomb
This piece was previously featured as a nationally syndicated column by GateHouse Media. “Brace yourselves. I’m gunna use the ‘F word’ to talk about my battle with breast cancer.” While the audience gasped, the … Read More
Empowerment Hope Kindness Self care
Feel the Burn – Find the Power: Honoring the Caregivers Among Us
I grew up in a North Carolina high school where football was a big deal, which is ironic, considering that in North Carolina, basketball is the state religion. … Read More
Find a Center That Will Hold
How do you heal? Me? Among many things, I find healing in the stars. And specifically, the spectacular images from the James Webb telescope like the “Cartwheel Galaxy” (above) published … Read More
We’d Better Dial Up Our Sleep Number
This piece was taken from a sermon delivered at the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in NYC on April 10, 2022. I don’t know about y’all, but I love to sleep. Love. It. And, at the risk … Read More