We hope you are enjoying these weekly feature posts from the authors of Inspired by Life…and Fiction. We’re sharing some of our favorite things to help you get to know us a little better—and we’d love to hear your answers to these “favorites” questions in the comments below.
Favorite Candy: Peanut M&Ms. Hands down. Cannot keep them anywhere within a 200 yard radius or they’ll be on my hips in nothing flat. And the “SHARING SIZE” label on the package? Purely subjective.
Favorite Sport: I am not a sports girl. Remember that moment in Titanic when Jack looks at Rose and says, “You just seem like, you know, kind of an indoor girl.” That’s pretty much me. (Move ahead to 1:24 in the video if you want to see that moment again.)
That said, I will happily try to play anything. You just don’t necessarily want me on your team. Much like the gals in middle school who finally had to choose me for their team. That experience was a defining sports moment for me.
One day during gym in middle school, I desperately did not want to be chosen last for basketball. But I was, as usual. And I still remember the team captain’s comment, “We don’t want that white girl!” However, since I was the last remaining person, they had no choice. So off I went. I so wanted to redeem myself, so you can imagine my absolute THRILL when I finally made a basket! Only…it was for the other team. To say my teammates were not happy was an understatement. To say my basketball career died right there on that court, was not. : }
But if you ever choose me for your team, honey, I’ll be all in! Just don’t make winning your goal, k?
Those girls weren’t lying. I was white! LOL
Favorite Verse: This is like choosing a favorite child or grandchild. No way. They’re all so loved and dear to me. But here’s a life verse I return to repeatedly:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
I love that the Hebrew writer alludes to the “huge crowd of witnesses,” especially since so many loved ones have already crossed to the other side. I often imagine Mom and Dad cheering me on, praying me home. Same for Fred and Claudette (my inlaws), and so many other loved ones including aunts, uncles, cousins, and even high school friends.
I asked ChatGPT to provide a picture based on this verse with the parameters: “Make the runner a 60-something woman with reddish hair and a joyful, yet determined look on her face. And for the love, make Jesus middle eastern looking because he was.” This is what it gave me:
Just picture your own loved ones in the faces of those portrayed, cheering you on!
I’d love to know YOUR favorites! Do we share any? Peanut M&Ms, perhaps? Is anyone else kind of an indoor girl?
Love from my corner of Nashville,
Tammy
Tamera Alexander
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I love peanut M&Ms. I am not good at sports either but I love the outdoors. I love hiking. My baby will be 10 next week. I enjoyed seeing a 10 year old you. I enjoy your books too!
Kim in NC
Favorite candy is Cadbury milk chocolate bar. I used to love peanut M&Ms until my teeth didn’t like them anymore.
Having had a sports loving father and sports loving husband, I love many sports as a VIEWER. I grew up a clutz, who fell UP the stairs. I enjoyed kickball in elementary school, but suffered through PE in high school. Fortunately, in college I fulfilled sports requirements with swimming, modern dance, bowling, archery, and my one nemesis – lacrosse as a field sport since field hockey classes were filled.
Favorite verse is Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I start my day with this.
This is such a great feature!
I’m completely in the “last picked for sports” club. However, in my private elementary school, my classmates rallied at the finish line cheering me on. I was always last in running tests…but that made the trial worth it!! A little tast of heaven. 😍
I will never say no to Peanut M&Ms or Cadbury Fruit & Nut bar.
Favorite Bible verse changes often. One favorite now is Roman’s 8:38 – And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Becky in Indiana
Tammy:
You’re speaking my language. I’m in love with M&Ms. I love them so much, my main character in my last book, Mouse in Your Pocket, ate them when she was stressed. Can I say she was stressed a lot? HA! About being an ‘indoor girl’, yes to that too. My hubby bought me a Fitbit just so I’d go outside. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. Oh, and countless others. Thanks for sharing your favorites with us. Blessings!
M&M’s are always good. We envy you for the various flavors in the states (in the EU there are only 3 different types).
I share your experience of being picked last for the sports team. But in my team of favorite authors you would be my first pick!! 😉 So glad you’ve become an author and not a sports-star.
My favorite Bible verse changes often. But isn’t it a beautiful gift from God and infinite treasure that there are so many for every season we are in?
There is not only the crowd of witnesses in heaven but here too. I like the sharing of life & faith with you guys at IBL&F. So I’m cheering here on you today and as Zebedee on The Chosen would say “Go, go, go…” 😃
Thanks, for sharing, Tammy!
I’m that indoor girl, too. I related to your being chosen last in sports and was reminded that with God the last shall be first! ;c)
And chocolate! There’s a reason why it’s at the top of the food pyramid, because it’s The Very Best!
Finally, my favorite verse is Romans 15:13. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I’m not good at sports either. But I do love to WATCH hockey and college gymnastics. I’m a serious fan. While I’m watching, my favorite candy would be Twizzlers. Yum!!
I really love your scripture pick and one of my very favorites is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And there you go, from my little corner of Chattanooga 😉