Irresistible Rest
When I come upon my cat, Merlin, resting in the sun, it’s irresistible: I’m drawn into the light. I have to get right down beside him and let the warm sun greet my face. Whenever I see cats lounging in the sun, I remember that’s there something more important than laundry, cleaning, baking, or grading. […]
Unencumbered (or Forgetting All Your Bags)
Maybe I’m getting old. Today I arrive to campus to discover that I had left all my things–my purse, my bag of teaching supplies and handouts, my wallet–at home by the front door. I just hopped into my van and drove happily away. I’m walking around with nothing but my phone in my pocket and […]
Another Great Verb in Scripture
This morning, I notice how often we’re told that God “guards” our lives. In Psalm 97:10, we read that the Lord “guards the lives of his faithful ones.” The verb guard is the Hebrew word shamar which means to watch closely, observe carefully, exercise great care over, or to heed well. It’s the same verb we […]
Your Symbols of Wealth
I’m writing about regional symbols of wealth for a project, and I ask my students what wealth looks like here in college. I had to google search some of their answers because I’m that out of touch. Apparently, it’s the Canada Goose brand of outerwear, the Lululmon athletic clothing, and of course, your Beats headphones. […]
No Turtle
Five years ago, I convinced myself that a turtle was hibernating under our deck. When Spring came, I attempted to lure him out with treats. Luring the Turtle filled my heart with anticipation and wonder as I watched the yard for that enormous turtle. Every day, I peeked out the window to see. Yesterday, repairmen […]
The Same Old Thing Every Day: How Spiritual Disciplines Saved My Life
“Do you have to do this every day?” My youngest flops down on my caramel colored bedspread and rolls over onto her stomach. She’s asking out of curiosity, not annoyance. “Yes,” I say. “It changes me.” I’m in the same rocking chair where I cradled her in my arms 10 years ago. I glance out […]
Keeping It Fresh
When you think about your work and your relationships, you want to keep things fresh. The enthusiasm I continue to feel for God, teaching, marriage, and parenting comes from one thing alone. I will tell you now. Are you so curious? Are you? That’s the answer: It’s curiosity. Curiosity! Curiosity is the mental state of […]
Do Not Fret: All Kinds of Ways to Grow
Today I find myself fascinated by germination. My daughters love buying seed packs and planting seeds into little greenhouses for late spring planting. They love beets and poppies and snapdragons and lemon basil, and I smile when I see their little signs. I think about all those little dried seeds that suddenly come to life […]
Writers and Their Cats
I’m not the only writer who works with a cat standing guard. My cat, Louie, sits there like a bodyguard. Whenever I begin even walking in the direction of my desk, he races ahead and positions himself right here. You can’t do this without me. You need me. It’s a dangerous thing, this writing. Beware. […]
Live with Flair for Kids: 3 Questions to Ask
Today I tell my children that it’s getting harder and harder to blog each day. I feel like I’ve recorded so many extraordinary things in my ordinary days that I wonder if I’ve run out. Then I recall in Psalm 40:5 a beautiful new mission: “You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds […]