Blog — Karen Wade Hayes

The Year in Review

Years ago, I began a December practice of looking back over the whole year and summarizing it in writing. I have learned that considering the past is an essential spiritual exercise with unexpected benefits.

Gratitude, Reflection, ChristmasKaren Wade HayesDecember 12, 2021reflecting, gratitude, journalingComment

Psalm 103 - A Thanksgiving Prayer

Few prayers are more powerful than those in which we offer God’s words back to Him.

Karen Wade HayesNovember 24, 2021Comment

When I Don't Feel Thankful

Although I have endured some rough seasons, faced with heavy burdens that made gratitude feel elusive, I’ve begun to notice that minor annoyances are more likely to stifle thankfulness in me.

Thanksgiving, Gratitude, RelationshipsKaren Wade HayesNovember 23, 2021gratitude, thankfulness, Thanksgiving Comments

What’s in a Name?

Over the past few years, popular culture has hijacked the name “Karen” as a negative label. But rash words, name-calling, and verbal lashing don't bring reconciliation or healing in relationships or cultures.

Culture, Kindness, IdentityKaren Wade HayesOctober 26, 2021names, Karen, kindness Comments

Emotional Roomba

An unfortunate incident on a California freeway made me wish emotions could be sucked up like dust by a vacuum. Instead, we have to learn how to manage them when the emotional pollen count is high.

Emotions, Changing Seasons, Spiritual MaturityKaren Wade HayesSeptember 30, 2021emotions, feelings, maturity Comments

Rebuilding Hope

The inspiring story of how my dad recovered his hope following the death of my sister, following a three-year battle with ALS in 2010.

Hope, Loss, Changing SeasonsKaren Wade HayesAugust 23, 2021encouragement, hope, serving Comments

My Graduation Speech

Maybe a commencement address isn’t meant to be more than a pep talk, but at such a significant moment in those young lives, wouldn’t it be great if it were?

Culture, Encouragement, ParentingKaren Wade HayesJuly 10, 2021parenting, wisdom, knowing God Comments

The Fern Birds

After watching a pair of ferns build a nest for days, a strong wind knocked it down. Seeing their little home in shambles made me feel sad that my last child was leaving home.

The Bean Jar

Parenting can feel like being stuck in a swamp with no way out but to keep slogging. And no wonder it's tough to raise tiny humans – we struggle to be mature and do the right things ourselves.

Sloth: Not Just a Cute Animal

No matter how productive and hard-working I think I am, sloth is a concern in this modern era of entertainment and comforts available on demand. Why does time matter so much?

Culture, Sloth, Spiritual MaturityKaren Wade HayesApril 13, 2021stewardship, time, sloth Comments

Made to Be in a Flock

It’s no wonder God compares people to sheep so often in the Bible. We share many common traits. One of them is that we are built for community.

Anxiety, Sheep, CommunityKaren Wade HayesMarch 4, 2021community, sheep, loneliness Comments

Things I Hoard

It is hard to part with physical objects that carry emotional content. Many items I have chosen to hang onto feel like threads connecting me to seasons and people I don't want to release.

Changing Seasons, Reflection, GratitudeKaren Wade HayesFebruary 10, 2021stewardship, parenting, gratitude, loss Comments

Fiction as Light in the Darkness?

The distraction provided by fiction may temporarily obscure the darkness, but it doesn't drive out darkness. Make-believe stories can transport, but they can't transform.

Light, Bible, HopeKaren Wade HayesJanuary 11, 2021light, reading, Bible Comments

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