Three Things I Learned
Today I learned three new things I never knew before: After finishing News of the World and reading a note from the author, I learned that children kidnapped by Native Americans on the Texas frontier who were then adopted by the tribes never wanted to return to their families. They quickly assimilated and, even when […]
An Encouraging Quote from C.S. Lewis
I come across a quote from C.S. Lewis that I haven’t heard before. Lewis writes in a letter to the priest who marries him and Joy about her cancer diagnosis with the following words in the spring of 1959: “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering […]
This One Message
On the recommendation of a friend, I pick up News of the World, a novel by Paulette Jiles and finalist for the 2017 National Book Award set during the aftermath of the Civil War. As I follow a character who made a career of bringing newspapers to various communities and reading aloud the news of […]
Old, Old Books
At the Penn State library, I request this book on the life and works of Charles Spurgeon. It’s an old book from 1890, and I love it.
Guest Post at Proverbs31.org
Today, I’m honored to write about living like a chosen woman for Proverbs 31. Enjoy the post here: Living Like a Chosen Woman
Better Than Expected
This morning in our prayer journal, my daughter asks for something that seems like a true flair moment. She says, “Mom, pray that this day is better than I’m expecting.” I remind her of the verse that adorned my own wedding program from Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than […]
Keep Pressing On
Today I remember that God invites us to persevere–to stay under the weight of difficult things–by providing His Holy Spirit as our strength. If we’re in a season of persevering, certain rituals matter deeply. We stay in God’s word; we ask for the Holy Spirit to control and direct our lives; we die to self; […]
When Nothing’s Happening
These last few days, I’ve taken comfort in a simple declaration of Jesus in John 5:17. He writes, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” The notion that the “Father is always at work” and that Jesus, too, is working allows me to rest when I don’t see […]
“I can tell you like me.”
As I spent time coloring with my new little friend, he says, “I can tell you like me.” “How?” I ask. I’ve learned to listen attentively to the wisdom of children. “Because you get so excited about me and what I’m doing as I color.” I think about his comments because I want to live […]
“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
I find this Bible verse again this afternoon when I’m coloring with a young friend. His parents are visiting from Tennessee. This clever nine-year-old talks to me about all the places he’s visited as we turn the pages of a fancy coloring book of sights of the world. In another coloring book from my stash […]