I give the switch on the cord a quick twist, then stand back and admire the lights. I cup the hanging, worn, red apple in my hand, feel the rough, gaze at glitter that sparkles. It’s hung now on 42 trees–well, except maybe for two or three grief years when we skipped decorations. So make […]
booked: grace quotes
The human impulse to create and find meaning is a gift of grace. Grace is the opposite of “expectations” because it is so, well, unexpected. And, interestingly enough, grace is at the center of Great Expectations. ~Karen Swallow Prior, Booked, Chapter 4, “The Magic of Story: Great Expectations” What I came to understand […]
scripture sunday: drink
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ~John 7:36-38 (NIV) In the stillness, Sandy
still saturday: be still – let it be
Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in God’s presence. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done. What has not been done has not been done. Let it be. ~New Zealand Prayer Book, Night Prayer In the stillness, Sandy Welcome to […]
i can see clearly now
Grace burrows into the hood of her orange sweatshirt and curls into pink plush on the couch. She complains of a sore throat, but she has no fever. Of course, it’s only 49 degrees in the house. “I can’t feel my fingers,” she moans. “Do you want some gloves?” “No. Then I can’t feel […]
in which i’m not promiscuous enough about books
Since therefore the knowledge and survey of vice is in this world so necessary to the constituting of human virtue, and the scanning of error to the confirmation of truth, how can we more safely, and with less danger, scout into the regions of sin and falsity than by reading all manner of tractates and […]
scripture sunday: create and renew
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ~Psalm 51:10 (NASB) In the stillness, Sandy
be still – just be
“It is often when we’re swallowed up in God that we find our true selves. We discover our true identity, not as do-ers but as be-ers. Our tasks in this life boil down to: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ Indeed, this is why many of us avoid silence and solitude–because our self-identities […]
for when you’re hungry
continued from yesterday Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Spring. Bread again in the House of Bread. Naomi had experienced winter in her heart and soul. Little did she know that spring would soon break into her brokenness. Little did she know what God was orchestrating for her […]
when you’re breadless, broken, and bitter
Breadless in Bethlehem. The House of Bread battled famine. Yet though she was hungry, Naomi felt full. She had her loved ones. Elimelech, whose name meant “my God is king,” packed up his wife and two sickly sons. They traveled 30 miles to a foreign land to greener pastures. Away from family. Away from […]
