Laura Fox

Have you ever felt like you didn’t measure up? I did, constantly, for the first 33 years of my life. I didn’t have a specific issue that caused me to feel that way. I was raised in church and never really strayed from my faith. I had good relationships with family and friends and I was advancing in my career. Achievement driven and goal oriented, I lived under a cloud of "you’re not good enough” because I was striving for perfection in every area of my life. Then one day, I was pushing myself to achieve a self-imposed goal and freaking out because I wasn’t going to make it – and I had to get it done. In the midst of my panic, I heard God asking “why do you have to?” As I wrestled with this question, God brought me to the realization that the reason I was pushing myself so hard and striving so desperately for perfection was because I felt like I had to earn His favor. Although I knew that my relationship with God was possible only because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me on the cross, I hadn’t grasped that everything was totally based on what Jesus did – not on what I do. Can you imagine how freeing it was to finally understand that I was never intended to be perfect? That it’s okay to make mistakes? It was incredible for me to realize that God loves me just the way I am. Now I live every day as a “recovering perfectionist.” I’m still achievement driven and goal oriented but the difference is that I know my worth is not based on what I accomplish or if I meet certain standards. Instead, I can be free because I understand that God loves me just the way I am – so much that He was willing to sacrifice His Son for me. By God’s grace I am what I am. (1 Cor 15:10).

My Life

Favorite Quote

"There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that."  Captain America

My hobbies

Sewing, quilting, crocheting, and birdwatching. My chickens, cats, and garden could be counted as hobbies but they're really just part of farm life!

Best advice I ever received

"Concentrate on what you're doing - not what others are saying." David Slatkin

My undergrad alma mater

Clemson University

If I weren't a professor, I would

teach homesteading lessons (farming, chickens, breadmaking, etc.)

Favorite books

My favorites change depending on whether I like what I’m currently reading. My husband calls them "books du jour."

Favorite movies

Marvel's Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man, etc.

Favorite coffee

is made from freshly ground Guatemalan coffee beans

Nobody knows I

We don't buy bread at my house - I make it from scratch once a week.

My latest accomplishment

I am a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach.

Current Research

Impact of reflection exercises, how to learn resources, and grading methods on student perceptions and academic achievement.