The Solid Place
Today I found a quote by Henri Nouwen that he wrote in his secret journal (published in The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom) on a day when he didn’t feel God’s love. He writes, “You have to trust the place that is solid, the place where you can say yes […]
I Will Have One: The Humor and Kindness of God
I think it’s so kind of God that I will enjoy exactly one plumcot from my tree before I force regeneration (cut it down). It’s ripening beautifully on my sick tree. I love that I get this one plumcot, and it makes me laugh that God, in His kindness, granted it. It made no sense […]
Merlin’s Paw
Merlin has an automatic food bowl that only he can eat from (as part of his diet plan). He can’t eat from anyone else’s bowl because only his microchip works to open his bowl covering (and no other cat bowl). He must bow his head close, and the bowl opens. However, somewhere in his past […]
Wait and See
Some of my pumpkin vines don’t look like pumpkin vines. What in the world did I plant? This happens occasionally, especially near my compost pile. I stand there, tapping my chin. Is this a watermelon? A squash? Some kind of giant gourd vine? I love the surprise of it. I love the lesson of sowing […]
Better Stress Responses
This morning in my WW meeting, we learned about having better stress responses. Many people make poor choices when under stress. Maybe it has something to do with reactive brain states, or maybe it has to do with how we’ve always responded to stress. When you consider your normal stress responses that don’t serve you […]
Day and Night
This morning I read Andrew Murray’s reminder to see our lives as a vineyard that God continually cares for. He quotes Isaiah 27:3. While this passage is about God’s care of Israel, it also tells us about God’s guarding care for His people in general: “Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the Lord, watch over it; I […]
More and More
Today I loved the cool breeze, the Adirondack chairs, and the ripening tomato. I loved baking in the kitchen in the chaos of adult daughters also in the kitchen. I loved drinking coffee with hazelnut flavoring. I loved listening to music and a Spotify playlist called Jazz for Autumn. I loved the family decision to […]
Preparing for the New Season
At least for me, the Back-to-School season started with the new month. And again for me, it’s a new season of fresh work responsibilities and opportunities, ministry events, and most importantly, the “empty nest” of both daughters in college and away from home. What about you? In times of transition, I’m learning (and have learned) […]
Perfect Little Mushrooms
Not Home
I decided to read 2 Peter this morning after Ashley told me that’s where he’d been reading. “It’s been awhile since I read 2 Peter,” he said. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d read the book in its entirety, in one sitting. I think about two things. First, everyone should memorize verses 3 and […]