Live Out Loud

Every time my mom visits, I like to invite some close friends over for a meal. This has become a small tradition of sorts (and I often struggle with how to decide who to invite). 2015 - 2013 - 2011 (top to bottom) This year was the first time that the bulk of my friends who came were not Christian. And yet, my mom shared similar sentiments this time around as she has in years past--how sincere, genuine, and kind-hearted my friends are--and how happy (and approving) she is of the people I choose to surround myself with. While I was thrilled that my mom had a great time, it also made me wonder about what make us distinct as Christ-followers. More specifically, what makes me distinct? Have I lost my saltiness?

What do you look for when you travel? What is particularly intriguing to you across cultures? I discovered over lunch this week that one of my colleagues is fascinated by prisons. Yes, prisons. Her dream job is to become a prison ward some day. I have never ever heard that before from any of my friends, or anyone in my network. The conversation of course involved heavy topics such as how we feel about the death penalty, for which I had never given much thought. I left the lunch wanting to learn more, and was recommended a book - Dead Man Walking - as a starting point. I love my job and the people I work with, but finding my way through controversial conversation topics like this has been one of the most consistent challenges.