A Little Prayer You Will Love
My prayer group decided that we would pray this: “Lord, help me be an answer to someone else’s prayer today.” We leave for our day, and I greet everyone with different eyes. I’m anticipating how, just maybe, I might become an instrument of God in someone’s day. Something about this prayer changed me; I stopped […]
Sometimes I Remember Diapers and Sippy Cups
Today my 13 year old had an orthodontist appointment that fell over the lunch hour. So we went to lunch afterwards. She chose the place–Chinese–and suggested items for me to try (custard dumplings, who knew?). She directed the conversation and attempted to persuade me to buy her a guitar. I’m looking at her and trying […]
Granted in What He Ordaineth
This morning I’m listening to the beautiful hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” based on Joachim Neander’s German choral written in 1680. In particular, I love this question that, in translation, reads: Hast thou not seenhow thy desires ever have beengranted in what He ordaineth? I ponder the question all morning. Have I not […]
Objects That Bring Comfort
On this rainy Tuesday, I light my little Owl Candle Holder on my desk. I’m amazed at how much comfort it brings to light it and watch it flicker beside me. A small, simple thing–a little something to add to the day.
A Thought About Moments
Today on campus I fill my mug at a water fountain and splash the floor underneath as it overflows. I gaze at the puddle and consider how it would evaporate on its own. Must I clean it? Must I? Maybe I will clean it up. I waste at least 20 seconds on this dilemma until […]
Happy Day!
“You Don’t Have to Be Good”
My youngest and I search the garden for signs of spring. We observe the daffodils, raspberry canes, and of course, the Weeping Cherry. She says, “Mom, do you think I’ll get an Easter Basket this year?” I begin to say, “Have you been good?” But I stop before the words escape my mouth. She doesn’t […]
Teaching Written Voice
Voice in writing allows readers to feel like they connect to a real person within the words. Voice marks the difference between textbook and dictionary writing and the kind of writing you hug in your arms because you finally feel understood and bonded to the writer. It’s the kind of writing that you can’t resist. […]
A Notion for Notions
My daughters love our Thursday trip to Scrap and Skeins, a new business in our town. This little shop collects donated crafting items and sells them to benefit Strawberry Fields, Inc. which provides services to those in our community with developmental delays, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities. Residents of Strawberry Fields help run Scraps and […]
Moments with Strangers
When I’m out and about town, I realize how much I love interacting with complete strangers. It’s becoming a problem because I find myself wanting to know everything about them. Maybe I should have been a journalist or a talk show host. Maybe my April blog will have something to do with discovering strangers every […]