Sarah B Anderson

12 Years In: How Marriage Is [And Isn’t] What I Thought It Would Be

Posted by Sarah B Anderson | Mar 8, 2018 | Marriage, Personal Growth | 0

In the classic romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally, at the end, after decades of bad relationships and bad timing and bad breakups when Harry chases down Sally at a New Year’s Eve party and they finally realize they belong together, Harry says: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible.” * * * We took pictures together before our wedding ceremony. I realize that bucks against tradition a little bit. That there is something about that moment when the...

What’s Love Got To Do With Lent

Posted by Sarah B Anderson | Feb 13, 2018 | Faith, Marriage, Personal Growth | 0

In our house we like to say, “Expectations are just preplanned resentments.” There’s a reason it’s become a familiar line. Because I tend to live with high expectations, around holidays especially. My birthday, Christmas, our anniversary and Valentine’s Day—all great days rife with almost unlimited potential to be ruined by my unrealistically high and poorly communicated desires for the day. The thing about Valentine’s Day especially is, I am not a romantic in the traditional sense. I don’t love stuffed animals partnered with a box of chocolates. I like flowers, but a bouquet from Trader Joe’s is just as...

On Women and Jesus

Posted by Sarah B Anderson | Jan 24, 2018 | Culture, Faith, Ministry, Personal Growth | 0

I was a senior in high school when a male youth leader told me I needed to work on my “gentle and quiet spirit”—a direct quote taken from a letter the apostle Peter wrote to the New Testament Church. He may have had a point. I was loud and outspoken and maybe a little unruly. A group of friends and I had been kicked out of a fast food restaurant for being all of those things—and not so gentle or quiet—a few months before. So, his remark wasn’t completely unfounded. But still. The part of me that got a...

How Disappointment Shows Up In Advent

Posted by Sarah B Anderson | Dec 20, 2017 | Faith, Ministry, Parenting, Personal Growth | 0

My youngest is perhaps the most confident person I have ever met. He is nothing if not convinced of his ability to do just about anything. He lives life self-assured, self-reliant and maybe the slightest bit delusional. Because no matter how often reality proves that he isn’t as capable as he thought, he isn’t willing to let go of the vision he has of himself. As being the best at everything. A couple of days ago, the advent reading I did mentioned the story of John the Baptist. John reminds me of my son. He was loud and certain,...

When Christmas Isn’t What You Expect

Posted by Sarah B Anderson | Nov 29, 2017 | Faith, Personal Growth | 0

Years ago I read that many traditional Christmas songs are written in minor chords. I don’t know where I saw it, or who said it, or even if it’s true, actually. I just know, that it made sense at the time. That there is something about the songs of Christmas that feel equal parts melancholy and joyful; both promising and ache-y. That the words make mention of one true and meaningful thing, while the tune hints at something else, equally true, and meaningful—but also sad. In some ways I’ve started to dread this time of year. For whatever reason...