If I Could Pick Two
Since most everyone considers New Year’s resolutions today—as they prepare for 2023—I thought about the two essential practices that I would start if I were telling a younger me what to do: I’d commit to daily reading the Bible (and journaling what I learned, prayer requests, and gratitude), and I’d take a daily walk. That’s […]
Record Your “Unexpected Joys”
My wise mentor tells me she’s praying for “unexpected joys” on my travels. The phrase sticks to my soul; I’m eagerly anticipating the Lord’s “unexpected joys.” It’s a fun game to play each day of my life. Where did God surprise me with an unexpected joy? It might not arrive as a tangible thing. I […]
Absorbed
I’ve learned a few tricks to endure long car trips. Because our families live in the south, we must take day-long road trips to visit them for holidays. It’s one of my least favorite things in the world to be stuck in a car all day long. I dread it, and it nearly ruins the […]
“Every Delay Is God’s Way”
One of our family mottos (besides “Every rejection is God’s protection) is “Every delay is God’s way.” Today, we learned this lesson in such a happy way. While visiting UNC, we stopped into a restaurant for lunch. The service was unusually delayed, and we waited a long time for our food and for the check. […]
Only Here
I find myself on a walk in North Carolina alongside the Longleaf Pine. These trees don’t grow in Pennsylvania; this explains why I’m marveling over their enormous pinecones. These pinecones grow up to a foot in length. I gather a few that fell onto the sidewalk. Later, I discover that my great aunt collected many […]
Keep Hoping
In Romans 5:5, Paul writes a transforming verse that, when applied to our lives, provides a perspective for our current reality. He insists that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” When we hope in […]
The Gift You’d Bring
This morning we enjoyed a lovely, simple, and meaningful Christmas church service. We sang hymns and conversed with one another about our lives with Jesus. Little clumps of people gathered to reflect on Jesus. I sat near a retired hospice nurse who shared how much music meant to people as they neared death, especially old […]
For Nothing Is Impossible with God
Today I notice Gabriel’s words to both Zechariah and Mary in Luke 1. First of all, Gabriel tells Zechariah this: “I stand in the presence of God.” It’s the first thing Gabriel says after revealing his name. It grants a special authority. Gabriel knows God. Gabriel is with God. Gabriel listens to God. Remember, we’ve […]
30 Below
With the bitter windchill, it’s feeling like -30 degrees outside. Years ago, this would astonish me, but apparently, I’ve habituated. I stay bundled up. I heat the car for a few minutes longer. I drive one daughter to work on icy streets. I decide not to walk today. Instead, I’ll bring out the watercolors and […]
When We’re All in This Together
Today I journeyed in a snowstorm to drive my daughter to school. With low visibility, icy roads, and tons of traffic, a 10 minute drive took 45 minutes. Despite the danger and the delay, the drive offered the beauty of fluffy snowflakes, a white landscape, and travelers united in their slow-motion commute. Nobody honked or […]