I’m having trouble concentrating on anything today other than the giant belly that sits between my computer and me. It’s spring and there is so much new life blossoming outside. Each year, the seasons wax and wane with an untold story of what will bloom and what will remain barren. Even when the petals vary, the roots remain. Only the … Read More
When All You Know Is That Jesus Loves You
Recently, some majorly bad decisions, which did not match up with the apparent character of a person very dear to our family, were revealed. In shocked disbelief, questions poured out. Nothing made sense about any of the information we learned because all things we were hearing were polar-opposite to the person we thought we knew. The more uncovering that happened, … Read More
What to Do When Even Christmas Offends You
Last Christmas, I was a mess. Four months prior, I lost my first child- a miracle child- to miscarriage. My world stopped spinning for a while and so much offended me. Things that were part of my regular rhythms weren’t cutting it for my broken heart. Going to church didn’t feel safe for me, but I went anyway. I was surrounded by … Read More
The Divine Hand that Wounds Also Heals
It’s no secret that when Royal Consort Prince Albert died at the age of 42, his wife, Queen Victoria entered into deep mourning for the rest of her life. She wore black every single day until she died because she missed her beloved Albert so very much. Soon after he died, people of course extended their offerings of care and … Read More
When Love Shows Up
Over a year ago, I jotted down a note from my Pastor’s sermon, “Love shows up when everyone else is leaving.” I haven’t been able to get that out of my mind since then. The quote has been set before me as a challenge to try to show up after the dust has settled in the midst of terribly hard … Read More
How To Be More Interesting
I feel like I was a slacker in the reading department during 2013. In hindsight, I realize I started off rip-roaring through a lengthy biography on Daniel Boone, an awesome memoir by one of my former professors called, “Booked,” a Johnny Cash book, and a Dickens’ classic I had started a few months earlier. As a slow reader, I set … Read More
When Pain is a Good Thing
There’s an old adage that came out around the time of the movie, “Remember The Titans?” You’ve heard it before, I’m sure. “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” That quote was put on countless posters…usually with a body builder lifting like a million pound weight or something. I’ve always found that saying to be full of truth, but hard to … Read More
The Beauty of Scars
You know what’s different about this summer? I have a new scar that is nearly impossible to camouflage. I’ve got other big ones, but they’re a little easier to conceal. This one, however, is on the top of my arm. I’m already starting to get questions about it because it’s that noticeable. The thing is, I’d much rather have that … Read More