Glimmers of Grace
The Daffodil Bulb
At this time of year, when the entire world is brown and gray and splattered with mud (in southwest Ohio, at least), Isaiah 43 speaks my heart: This is what God says... “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m...
A Shepherd’s Story
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for...
A Father’s Love
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 Dear Justin, As you hold your beautiful newborn son, Jaxon, I can't help but remember the day you slid into the world with a splash....
Exquisite Pleasures
As a child I lived life on the inside looking out, shut in my room, lost in a book; peering into windows of houses lit up at night, strangers' lives illuminated. I pictured my unformed self within those lamp-lit circles, dreaming of a future unlike the present, where...
Open the Eyes of My Heart
Autumn is a time of letting go. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, and let me see the grace beyond this transient time of color-soaked beauty. Yesterday I sat on the porch and watched red, orange, and yellow leaves slowly spiral from tree to ground. The very air hummed...
God Set My Feet on a Rock
I am so thankful for my husband, Wally. Nicknamed Sturdyman by his friends back in the 70's, when they went on a cross-country motorcycle trip, he is the guy who is there when you need him. He has been a rock for me and for our family through the ups and downs of...
No Moment is Trivial
To my beautiful friend Emily, I’ve been thinking about our conversation of a few days ago. You know. The one where we talked about how difficult it is to allow ourselves to accept God’s invitation to simply "be," without feeling guilty that we're not "doing." We...
Rest and Refreshment on a Swing
Where do you go for rest and refreshment? I've found one of my best places to leave the busy world behind and soak in the beauty of the day is on an old-fashioned swing. Heel, toe. Heel, toe. Heel, toe. Amazing, how such a small, controlled movement puts the swing in...
Invitation to the Thirsty
Autumn is such a bittersweet time of year. The world changing color before our eyes. That certain slant of light, tinging the clouds with violet. The smell and crunch of leaves underfoot. Sweaters, and snuggly down comforters and fleece throws on the back of the...
Strong, Tenacious, Confident
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? As I sit and meditate on these words from Isaiah 43:19, a picture springs to mind. A bean seed, unfurling underground, breaking the surface of the garden's parched and cracked dirt. Strong...
Next Time
Next time I will remember my name—Beloved Inhabit my skin without shame Embody joy Instead of fear Next time I will speak when spoken to And even when not Raise my 5th grade hand without hesitation Tell Miss Hewitt to go to hell Next time I will sleep...
Women Need Women!
As Sherri said at our last meeting, "Women need women!" A multi-generational group of women, most of them followers of Jesus, gathers in my kitchen every other Saturday morning at 10 am. We sip coffee and orange juice; heap our plates high with sinfully-...
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