I’ve been mostly silent about Charleston, stunned and saddened and totally at a loss to understand the hatred directed toward someone whose skin color just happens to be a different shade. I’ve also been hesitant to speak or write for fear of saying something too stupid, too simple, too superficial. Of speaking without understanding. Of being […]
Still Saturday: When You Face Unexpected Demands
I AM A MIGHTY GOD. Nothing is too difficult for Me. I have chosen to use weak ones like you to accomplish My purposes. Your weakness is designed to open you up to My Power. Therefore, do not fear your limitations or measure the day’s demands against your strength. What I require of you is […]
Still Saturday: What’s To Be Done?
“You are seeing everything for the last time, and everything you see is gilded with goodbyes. The child’s hand like a starfish on the pillow, your hand on the doorknob. Caught between screen and window, a wasp unfolds one wing. With a sick smile, guilt-ridden, the old dachshund lurches off the forbidden couch when […]
On Jumping Tandem, Grace, and Glue
They said the drive to Nebraska and Jumping Tandem: The Retreat would be long and boring. They were wrong. A week ago I’d messaged my prayer warriors, “I’m having a little trouble holding it together right now. Could use a little glue prayer.” And they were on it like bees on crabapple blossoms. One […]
Seeing God
Just look at that! “Look at what?” The sky. My husband looked up and asked again. “What about it?” Can’t you see? The stars. Look at the stars. “Oh, yeah. I’m cold.” And he went into the house, leaving me out there alone. Or not. Granted, D’d been checking things off his to-do/note list, […]
When Papa Comes Running
It’s the twilight hour. My husband’s settled in to watch the Tigers’ game with me. But he’s dozing. A frantic call from my daughter interrupts the outfield scramble. “Grace is in the field behind your house screaming. She’s not moving. She’s just standing there screaming, ‘Help me!’ I sent her through the field for […]
Cultivating Good In the Midst of Grief
She was my age, and also a nurse. She helped birth this place–a place where people could live out their last days in unforced rhythms of grace, where grief itself could cultivate good. I’m sure she never dreamed that she would be birthed to a new life from one of its beds. She was admitted the same […]
In the Tiptoe Moments
The angels must have spilled their face powder this morning as white dust covered everything. I really should have gotten presentably dressed in something warmer, but as has been my habit lately, I ran Grace to school in the attire of the moment–silky black pj bottoms with pink and white dots that remind me of […]
Pups, Patches, Aprons, and Grace
It all started with Sir Wesley John. When Rose Dog died, we swore no. more. dogs. But who can say no to a grand girl’s sad face? Only her mother. So the mission to make Grace happy fell to us, and thus began the hunt for a hypoallergenic, nonshedding, cuddle critter. Enter Happy Havanese. […]
Playing the Black Keys
When our 17-year-old daughter was pregnant with our first grand girl, she planned to name her Alizay. It was even frosted across the top of her baby shower cake. But I’d tripped over a house of ill repute by the same name, and she’d discovered “Alize” was actually a line of alcoholic drinks. So […]
