All at Once
The best tree in the neighborhood flares into bright gold every October. Every neighbor knows the one I mean. It’s this tree. This one tree slows down traffic and walkers as we gaze at its beauty. But we also know this: This one tree drops all of its leaves in a single day, in what […]
When a Silly Thing You Don’t Like Becomes the Thing God Uses
When I was 19 years old, I wished I had a different voice. I wanted a Southern accent like all the girls around me, but instead, I had this strange, unplaced kind of voice. And I couldn’t sing to save my life. I could only talk way too much with this voice. One summer, my […]
With Your Hands
I’m watching a man signing a worship song with his hands. Watching him worship with his hands made me think about my own hands. I want to worship with my hands. I thought of Psalm 90:17, where Moses–writing the oldest of the Psalms–cries out: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and […]
Everywhere You Go: A Host
My friend sends me an article where the authors ask, “What makes a teacher great?” They present the classical concept of “Philoxenia,” a new Greek word to add to my list. The word technically means “love of strangers” or more broadly, “a good host with a generous spirit.” The authors suggest that such a deeply […]
Suspended In Flight
I love falling leaves, and for several seasons now, I’ve tried to capture them descending with my camera. But something extraordinary happened yesterday: a leaf stalled mid-flight down, right in my yard. It was there, frozen in space, like some fantasy film scene. Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s trapped in a nearly invisible spider’s […]
Secret Little Processes
I know it’s a silly thing, but I love making dough with yeast. I love oiling the bowl and setting the round ball (in this case, pizza dough for dinner) inside as I cover it with my blue dishtowel. I leave the for the day, and I know it’s working. Something is happening. Whether I […]
“The Best Seat in the House” (A Guest Post and Chance to Win Books!)
I am honored to have written a guest post for Jennifer Dukes Lee (my writing friend from TheHighCalling.org)! My piece is about how I always wanted “the best seat in the house,” and what happened when I finally realized I was already there. You can enter for a chance to win Seated with Christ: Living […]
For Just Right Now
I’m finding new strength these days. Even on my hardest days (they don’t seem hard anymore), I know how to draw on some truths in scripture for this very moment. Right now, I’m guarded by God’s peace (Philippians 4:7), His righteousness (Romans 3:22), His hope (Romans 5:5), His power (Ephesians 1:19), and His presence that […]
Something New: Dehydrating Fruit
My neighbor has a food dehydrator (it just sits on the kitchen counter and makes this little humming noise while it’s working). I have never seen a dehydrator in my whole life, so obviously, I’m amazed at the trays of shriveled apple slices. She lifts the lid and lets me sample the most delicious, chewy, tart, […]
Your Little Trace
My friend presents me with the most beautiful cobalt blue Cross fountain pen–the kind with the ink cartridges that you pop in (I love that sound!)–because she knows I’ll be signing books. First of all, I love fountain pens. Oh! When I think of writing with flair, I think of fountain pens. And I know […]