Silence. We experience it so infrequently, most of us wouldn’t even recognize it. We wake to loud alarms, the drip of brewing coffee, running water as we prepare for our day.
Paradox
December 26, 2018 by
Ugh, we had a tough night. It’s been a tough month really. Such a paradox. I read this verse this morning and it jumped off the page. Like Paul was in my head. He has had to discipline the church he loves so much. He disciplined because he loved and he tells us in verse 4 that he was “heartbroken.”
Walks and Talks
September 12, 2018 by
This summer, I went for a long walk on the beach with my oldest son, Mack. We were at the tip of Florida where the shells are amazing. The waves are mild so the mollusks don’t bury so deep in the sand. Because of this, they are brought in by the gentle tide and land on the shore.
The Holy, Hard Things
August 21, 2018 by
I have had the honor of having two Papas on this earth, my father and grandfather. Both were men who loved God, sharing God’s good news every opportunity they had.
Tend
July 11, 2018 by
Years ago, I had a wild dream. In the dream, I was carrying around a container full of gross stuff. I would take care of this container, show it to my friends. It went with me everywhere I went. Weird, huh?
The Day I Lost My Sam
June 20, 2018 by
It’s funny how in losing something, you find something else. Like when you’re looking for your lost earring under the dresser and you find that Lego piece your son needs or paperclips or cut toenails. Gross. Who finds cut toenails under their dresser? Definitely not me.
Broken Spirits and Dry Bones
May 15, 2018 by
We have a friend in the Bible named Isaiah. God was looking for someone to deliver some hard words to God’s people. Isaiah had an incredible encounter with God involving an angel and some coal (Isa 6). And after this experience, he told the Lord “I’ll go, send me.”
“Band-aids Just Hold the Blood In”
April 10, 2018 by
This is what my 7 year old told me after a nasty bike fall in the cul-de-sac. He came in scraped on every bony part, a little bloody, but mostly just sad. He’s my sensitive one. He needs lots of sleep, hugs, and kind words. His heart is very tender and can be broken in an instant.
Keep Moving Forward
May 31, 2016 by
A friend once told me that her favorite season was fall because winter was too cold, summer was too hot, and spring felt like too much pressure. All those blooming flowers and sprouting leaves.
The Blessing of Changed Plans
April 27, 2016 by
I like plans. That’s no secret; my closest friends and family always rely on me to be the first to ask, “what are we doing next?” I plan and revise plans and talk about plans and write them on calendars.
You Need Only Be Still (And Then Get Moving!)
March 16, 2016 by
I’m not very good at being still. I fidget. I pace. I drum my fingers on counters and chew pencils into nubs. There may be some deeper issues at play, but I have always struggled with being still.
Lost But Not Alone
March 1, 2016 by
My three-year-old is starting to understand and verbalize more about God than he ever has before, and it’s encouraging and overwhelming all at once. The other night after prayers were said and stories were told, there was a period of silence.
Wake Up to Now
January 27, 2016 by
It’s my first winter in Michigan. This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing the grass in my front yard, the furthest I’ve driven on white roads, and the most consecutive days I’ve had to wear a down coat.
It’s so Hard to be Humble
December 22, 2015 by
This past year, I have started a new job, moved to a new town, enrolled my children in a new daycare, and bought a new house. That’s lots of “new”, which has brought with it many opportunities to be completely unsure of what I’m doing.
Can’t Help Falling in Love
November 24, 2015 by
If you’re like me, you’ve been in church a long time. You’ve seen the good and bad, the highs and lows, and in many ways, your church experience might best compare to a long marriage.
Life Is My Church
October 21, 2015 by
I saw a picture recently on social media–a beautiful fall scene, with the sun rising beautifully over a vista of trees and water and clouds, the sort of view that speaks peace into your very soul.
Whatever You Do
September 16, 2015 by
It is easy for me to think of certain vocations as holy, and certain types of work as true ministry. If you have certain titles before or after your name, or if your office is under a steeple, I take it as a given that you are doing holy work, your true calling.
Love Does
August 26, 2015 by
My book club recently read the book Love Does by Bob Goff. Recognizing that the focus on love is typically what it is, this book centers itself instead around what love does.
The Struggle Is Real
July 15, 2015 by
If you follow Facebook, you’ve probably seen the hashtag #TheStruggleIsReal. Usually denoting some sort of real life difficulty, the phrase is common in my Facebook feed.
Busy Is the New Black
June 24, 2015 by
If you’ve spent much time around little people, you know that they are perfect mirrors of life around them. Just when I think I’m behaving well and providing a good example, my son will do something that is undeniably me.
God in a Hurry
May 20, 2015 by
Recently, computer problems at work caused me to have to shut down my computer and restart it. This was a routine delay of two minutes, maybe three, while my computer reset and I reentered my password.
Failing Forward
April 15, 2015 by
When I was in high school, I played flute in the band. I was not musically talented. Perhaps worst of all, I didn’t really even have any great desire to be good at playing the flute.