And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. ~ Luke 2:52 In all the myriad of…
What Happens When I Go to Bible Class
I have a little friend in my preschool Bible class who has autism. Though I taught in public schools for…
When It’s Good to Run Away
There’s a scene in Finding Nemo (the children’s movie) where a large school of fish rush past the main characters,…
On Expectations, Trying to Do Everything and the Will of God
I have a secret to tell you, dear reader. I can’t do everything. In fact, sometimes (ok, often), when I…
Ripped Pages, Ripped Souls
My little girl has recently been tempted greatly to tear book pages. (yes, this is why someone invented board books).…
Real Rest
Rest is a difficult concept because it does not produce something tangible and visible. We have a hard time recognizing…
The Pace of the Children
Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.” But Jacob said to him, “My…
The Shadow of the Cross
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the…
Banishing Fear
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul…
On the Worth of Motherhood
Mothering is hard work and sometimes our hearts question our worth – the very point of it all. After all,…
Measuring Abundance
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.…
Day is Done
Tell me why you’re crying, my son. I know you’re frightened like everyone. Is it the thunder in the distance…
On Letting Go and Making Room
I think we all long to be Mary, choosing the better part (Luke 10:38-42). We long for her intimacy and…
It was never “my” time
People look at me funny when I tell them that my time in quarantine was actually very peaceful and purposeful.…
She was a Quiet Woman
She was a quiet woman – but communication can be quite effective even without words! She cooked over wood stoves…
On Days When I Feel Like I’m Getting Everything Wrong
On days when I feel I’m getting everything wrong. Days when I continually mess up. When I know the right…
Peace That Rules
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ~…
Josiah’s Response
Josiah was only 8 years old when he became king. He seems ludicrously young for the weighty task of leading…
Songs in the Night
Last night at precisely 3:17 AM (according to the green glow of the stove clock), I was up with 2…
He is Patient with Us
It is human to become frustrated when parenting. We repeat ourselves (throughout the day but also over years). It seems…
My Great Uncle
In the dark, quiet hours of the morning, my great uncle, Terrel Taylor, went home. And as I have thought…
Unseen Footprints
I see a heron sometimes when I walk by the river. It is impossible to capture how majestically he stands,…
It’s Hard to Be a Good Listener
It is hard to be a good listener. It’s not just about working ears or not having too much background…
Lessons from My Children
As a parent I know it is my job to teach my children – about God, life, friendships. But, in…
In God Alone
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I…
A List of Thanksgivings
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no…
Sweet Gwen
Sweet Gwen, Today is your second birthday. We might have done something more adventurous or gone somewhere new a few…
My God is Constant
The grass grows green again and spring poises. My God is constant. Everywhere I gaze, I discover a new jewel.…
In the Light
I walked through the woods Your tiny hand clutched in mine And together we looked at the trees. I love…
Why Bother Coming?
Why bother coming to worship anyway? It’s the whisper that slips into our minds. It’s not that we don’t love…
Don’t Forget the Divine Factor
Don’t forget the divine factor. It was his gentle reminder to me that my perspective was askew, that my focus…
The First and the Last
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. ~ Revelation 22:13…
Take Up Your Cross
Jesus offers many good and wonderful promises. He gives us assurances to quiet our anxieties, to warm us with his…
His Inexpressible Gift
And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring…
I am Building an Invisible House
I am building an invisible house. The work I do is lost to the eyes of the world. I do…
Don’t Give Up
It seems as if everywhere I look, I see or hear those around me talking about their New Year’s Resolutions:…
Fitting Words
It’s happened to all of us. Perhaps we were well meaning, perhaps we were tired, perhaps we just didn’t think.…
A Deliberate Act of Hope
Planting bulbs is such a deliberate act of hope. Holding brown, dry, seemingly lifeless hunks of plants, you dig a…
God with us
In an age where we can have hundreds of facebook “friends,” where we can have work circles, church families, friends,…
A Desolate Place to Find Strength
When you’re at the tipping point… When there have been too many people, parties, scheduling, problem solving, shopping, doing, rushing.…
The First Lord’s Supper
“Nack? Nack?” Her little voice is clear and sweet as she watches the trays pass over her head. She wants…
The Gentle Whisper
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind…
Good Counsel
Where do you seek counsel? When you are struggling, when you have a difficulty or problem, when you need guidance…
Why Sympathy Cards are Meaningful
I have a box in my closet, black and white, with flowers laced through. It is a beautiful, unlabeled box.…
Happy Reformation Day
Happy reformation day! I am not particularly knowledgeable about Martin Luther, the Reformation, or church history. That was more my…
The Gift of the Tree
Here I sit again, Watching my tree, Wondering how even one day can bring such dramatic change. Wasn’t it yesterday…
We Have a Father
My dad once said, “By nature we were made creatures of God; by grace, we are made children of God.”…
I am Doing a Great Work… and Cannot Come Down.
And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should…
