So I Will
Today, I had the privilege of writing a guest blog post for The Seed Company, an organization founded by Wycliffe Bible Translators to accelerate Bible translation all over the world. The Seed Company blog asked me the question, “How does reading the Bible help you live with flair?” Here’s my answer below, and check out […]
How You Know You’re Getting Better
Do you remember the story of my one-eyed cat, Jack? We rescued this wounded kitty and brought him into our home. He couldn’t even purr, he was that broken. But we knew his purr was in there somewhere. We brushed him, fed him, bathed him, pet him, and loved and loved and loved him. And […]
But We Didn’t
Last night, our doorbell rings at 10:00 PM. On our front porch, a woman in a gray sweater, sweat pants, and flip flops stands shivering. We open the door, and she immediately apologizes. “I’m so sorry to bother you,” she says. “I’m house sitting for my parents while they travel. I went into the garage […]
Christmas Estuary
Estuary Mouth Yesterday, I read a book that mentions the word estuary. An estuary is the part of a river that nears the sea. In an estuary, salt water and fresh water mix. As one of the most curious habitats, estuaries house creatures that learn how to live in impossible contradiction; they must survive in […]
Somebody Needs This
Last week–during my horrible cold– my neighbors express their concern for me in. . . soup. First came the hearty meatball soup with spinach and tomatoes. Then, on day two, a bright orange butternut squash soup paraded in with crostini appetizers so delicious I gobbled six between the front door and my kitchen. Day three? […]
Why Are They Doing This?
Just as I tuck my daughters in bed last night, the doorbell rings. My husband opens the door, and a gust of icy air enters. We can feel it all the way up into the bedrooms. Who would come by so late on such a cold evening? Then, the singing starts. I peek down the […]
Are You the Fudge Fairy?
Perched atop a snow drift by my front door today, a package of homemade fudge boasts a bright green ribbon. It’s the same wrapping every time. And every time, a Bible verse of encouragement, neatly typed and tucked under the ribbon, speaks about God’s faithfulness. I never know when the fudge delivery will come. Sometime […]
The Simple Remedy
This morning, the icy wind blows against the house and whips down the street, determined. The power goes out, and suddenly, the warm yellow glow of the kitchen turns into the blue-black of a morning not quite awake. We have breakfast by lantern and candlelight. It’s quiet. We have so much time on our hands. […]
How Ridiculously Inconvenient!
I receive a desperate email from one of my best students. He’s applying to this great new program, but the deadline’s been changed to tomorrow. He has no choice but to beg his professors to write last minute recommendations. It’s a ridiculous inconvenience. It’s exam week here. I’m grading papers, posting grades, and barely keeping […]
Christmas and the Ancient Path
I stay home from church today and cough my way through the morning. But I want to create my own Sabbath worship–to start the week fresh in peace–especially with so much to do to prepare for Christmas. I light candles and gather my Bible and a curious old journal that my students presented me on […]