My mom and I were flying to an event where I was speaking. As I told her about some exciting things happening with my work, Together Rising, and my book—she seemed quieter than usual. I asked her what was wrong and her eyes got watery. She said, Oh, it’s nothing, honey. It’s silly. What? I said. Her voice quivered as she said, Oh, it’s just that you and your sister are doing such world-changing, important work. I’m so proud of you. Sometimes I wish I’d done something important, something world-changing—so you two could be as proud of me as I am of…

Five years ago, the first line I wrote in the Foreword for my friend Rachel Held Evan’s breathtaking book Searching for Sunday was this: “Whenever I want to scare myself, I consider what would happen to the world if Rachel Held Evans stopped writing.” Today marks one year since we lost her. Here is the new Foreword I wrote for Searching for Sunday: Years ago, I found myself waiting in line at a coffee bar in the lobby of a Nashville hotel. I was there to speak at a conference hosted by a local church with my friend and teacher,…

  KEEP INDIE BOOKSTORES ALIVE AND GET COPIES OF UNTAMED AT THE SAME TIME! I love independent bookstores deeply because they love their communities well. Do you know that, on average for every $100 you spent at a locally owned store, $73 stays in your local community? I am hearing every day from indie booksellers — they are in so much pain. Many are on the verge of going out of business. I want to do everything in my power to support them now, so that they will keep supporting our communities when this crisis is over. Below is a…