Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to re-member. The praise team begins to sing. And mini beach balls and bean bags and frisbees sail through the air. In the sanctuary. And people sing and laugh. And. Have. Fun. In the sanctuary. “Because,” he says, “Christians don’t […]
Of Sore Throats and Green Hearts
She’s crying. “My throat hurts.” I feel her forehead and then go rummage in the bathroom drawer–through dumped Band-Aid boxes, ointments, alcohol wipes, the outer ring of an adhesive tape roll, a plastic medicine cup, a nasal syringe, and spilled cough drops to find the thermometer. “Open your mouth.” I shine the flashlight into […]
God Doesn’t Like Fun
I should be prepping for the class I need to teach. But here’s the episode of I Love Lucy where Lucy and Ricky meet. And then the one where Lucy races the horse. Then the one where the whole gang along with Fred MacMurray hunt for uranium. I hear Grace in the kitchen. She’s laughing […]
For When You’re Exhausted
I haven’t sat outside for a while, but this morning looks so inviting. I can’t bring myself to put on the pink sweatshirt my mom gave me to wear on my outings. So I go as I am–a sight to behold to behold the sights. The white robe’s in the dryer, so I slip on […]
Under the Pew
The grand girl’s played hard basketball today, dosed well with decongestant strips and Tylenol Meltaways. While she bathes, I fill a plastic container with popped corn, sprinkle it with some of the white cheddar seasoning she likes. (This is the second bag. Did you know that hot popped corn will melt a baggie?) I […]
Waiting with Courage
The rain’s shredded the white and left only scraps. The birds flock to the feeder, smother it. They dance on bare limbs. It’s easier to see them in winter. I suspect a lot of things become more clear in winter. I’ve got work to do, but I’d rather be here. In front of the window. […]
For When We Fail
It’s half an hour to the game. On good roads. The game starts at 10:20. I want to leave by 9:30. I’m up, showered, dressed. I yell up the stairs at 9. The roads don’t look so good. At 9:30, he’s shoveling, and I’m muttering. At 9:40, he comes in, putters in the basement. My […]
When We Lose Connection
The AT&T technician came yesterday morning–yes, a Sunday–to fix our DSL. We kept losing our connection. By the time he left, it was too late to make it to church 20 miles away. I really wanted to go because I’d hardly been in the last few weeks–no, months, what with being gone so much. […]
Unwrapping the Gift(s)
May 9, 2012 Linking this post with Ann and the 1000 Moms Project to help in the funding of a Compassion International Maternity/Child Survival program in Haiti for a whole year. My mom passed away on November 27, 2011. Thank you, Mom, for the simple gifts, for laughter, and for teaching me to […]
About That Stuff
I’ve been out of town for so many weekends, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to church. I’m tempted to stay home because that’s how it is when you’ve been gone so long. And I’m still feeling serene after last weekend, not ready for toe-tapping, hand-clapping, drums, and electric guitars. We consider the […]