Author Ava Pennington
Author Ava Pennington

Anniversaries of Grief and a Year of Firsts

Image by Manie Van der Hoven from Pixabay Anniversaries are usually celebrated. They often mark days we want to remember. Days of joy that make us thankful. Birthdays. Wedding anniversaries. Adoption days. But we mark some anniversaries reluctantly. Wishing the day...

read more

How Well Are You Known?

Twenty years ago, I moved from New York City to a much smaller city in Florida. More of a small town, actually. I welcomed the fresh air, the slower pace, and the improved quality of life. But I also needed to make some adjustments… About a week after our move, after...

read more

Spiritual, Religious, or Christian?

Is being spiritual the same as being religious? And are either of those the same as being a Christian? A recent Barna Group study, revealed that despite a growing indifference among millennials, they have an openness to different forms of faith-sharing. The Barna...

read more

Where Do You Belong?

I’ve had some unexpected—and unwanted—visitors this past week. The first occurred when I let the dogs out one evening for their final outing. A tree frog took the opportunity to hop into the house. Let's just say he was not easy to catch. Of course, attempting to...

read more

What are You Leaning Into?

Ever hear someone refer to God as a crutch? Something only weak people need to lean on to get through life? I’ve always found that argument irrational, all the more so when promoted by people who practically worship rationality. It implies that weakness is the...

read more

Labels, Identity, & Boxes on a Piece of Paper

Been thinking about labels lately. How we assign them to ourselves and to others. Of all the seasons of my life, junior high school was the most painful. Labels ruled and cliques reigned. You were labeled if you belonged to a group and labeled if you didn’t. Smart....

read more

What If God Allows It?

It’s hurricane season in Florida. With every new tropical disturbance identified in the Atlantic Ocean, Florida residents play the “What if?” game. What if a hurricane strikes us again? What if we experience similar flooding to the Carolinas? And the what-ifs extend...

read more

One Word Update – Wrong Word for 2018?

By most people’s standards, I picked the wrong word for 2018. For several years now, instead of making new year's resolutions, I've practiced selecting one word to focus on each year. Actually, it’s not so much that I select the word, it’s more that it’s the word I...

read more

Easter Sunday is Coming!

The clichés abound. Life is a process. Life is a journey. Life is a highway. Life is each of these and more. But as we move through the processes, in our journeys, and on the highways, what are we doing during these times? Especially during the times of waiting? Or...

read more

Receive Ava’s weekly blog
posts & occasional 
newsletters in your inbox!

Search by category:

You May Also Like

Is Your Purpose Out of Balance?

Is Your Purpose Out of Balance?

Is Your Purpose Out of Balance?    I love my phone. Well, maybe not love. But I’m very attached. Except these days I...

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome   Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome? Imposter syndrome occurs when people see you...