“Don’t Fake Your Life”
My oldest daughter tells me that some friends act one way around certain friends and another way around other friends. This really bothers her. “I know,” I tell her. I’m thinking how much I value authenticity and how long it took me to be myself in my own life. I think I’m still working on […]
Despite Everything
Despite everything, the cherry tomato ripens on the vine. And the sunflower lifts her head. When I go in search of color, I usually return with a particular kind of joy that stands up to any kind of mood. I think I am going to eat that warm tomato right off the vine.______________________________________I love the […]
Just Because It’s Hard Doesn’t Mean God’s Not In It
I’m reading Genesis again, and I’m struck for the first time with God’s great call on Abram’s life. He asks the man to leave everything and “go to the land I will show you.” There would be blessing! There would be greatness and prosperity! So Abram follows God into a new land, and instead of […]
When All Else Fails on a Rainy Day: Salt Dough
It’s a rainy summer day here. My oldest remembers an old rainy day tradition that I had forgotten: salt dough. Mix 2 cups flour with one cup salt. Add in 1 cup of warm water. Mix and knead. Let the children create beads, play food, doll house furniture, Christmas tree ornaments, animals, or letters. Dry […]
Baby Hummingbird Photos
Out by the blooming sunflower where our nectar feeder sits, we notice tiny hummingbirds at the feeder. Every once in a while, a much larger hummingbird will circle around the smaller ones. I think we are observing babies. Baby Hummingbird What a happy day to have seen them! We prayed God would bring them back […]
All Day Long
Finally, each little arm unfolds, waving to us. All day long, this sunflower will track the light. All day long, she will strain and stretch after it. All day long. Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” […]
5 Easy (and Cheaper) Meals to Serve a Crowd
Last night, it suddenly occurs to me that I no longer feel stress when I have to cook for a crowd. I used to worry so much and plan and agonize. But now, I have 5 favorites I can pull out to feed 5 or 40 (or more). I thought I’d pass them along, and […]
Receiving the Finest
Yesterday, I take my youngest to the doctor because of a terrible reaction to the new earrings we let her wear. They were beautiful earrings, and she loved them. But after just a few days, a disgusting infection brewed. I’m talking about the green pus-filled sort. I’ll spare you a photo. After many tears and […]
You Have Authority
Today at an intersection, I see a central point around which tentacles of cars line up to wait their turn to go. So many “lane closed” and “detour here” signs dot the landscape, that nobody really has any idea what to do or where to drive. Then I see him. A thin old man complete […]
The Joy of Rest Hour
Back when I was a counselor at Camp Greystone, I learned the why and how of Rest Hour. The how was this: Every single day after lunch–even on weekends–all the campers and the counselors (yes, even the adults) get in their bunks and stay quiet and still for one hour. They can read, write letters, […]