A Nonanxious Presence

In his book Generation to Generation, family therapist and Rabbi Edwin Friedman introduced the phrase “a non-anxious presence.” Friedman’s thesis, written in 1985, is that “the climate of contemporary America has become so chronically anxious...

Honoring Jesus

I was on my walk at the community college campus when a woman gave me an envelope with the label “John Daniels, Sr. Random Act of Kindness Day.” My eyes widened when I looked inside and saw a twenty-dollar bill and two leaflets with messages about Jesus. A...

The Exchange

Elijah had accidentally ripped a ten-dollar bill while playing with his friends. But instead of admonishing him, his father offered to exchange the torn bill with a fresh one from his wallet. “Why would you do that?” Elijah asked, confused. “For one,...

How the Proud Fall

John Taylor was a British eye surgeon in the 1700s who, driven by arrogance, fabricated a prestigious reputation. He pursued celebrities and became the personal eye doctor for King George II. Taylor traveled the country performing medical shows that promised miracle...

When Love Shows Up

“Why are you crying?” The question was asked by a volunteer for a Christian relief ministry helping those whose homes had been destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The woman (who had burst into tears in the previous moment) replied, “I’m not crying...