Even If I Win, I Lose
This morning, my husband and I get in an argument over something that I seriously can’t remember. We’re standing in the kitchen, arguing over lunchboxes or breakfasts or the weather or socks. I’m making my final excellent point when my husband leaves the room. My youngest looks up at me and says, “You lost that […]
Your Chilling Requirement
This morning, we all notice the gorgeous peach tree blossoms set against an ominous morning sky. We know what’s coming. At the end of the summer, we can pick peaches on this walk. This one little tree produces so many peaches that the owner actually begs us to pick his peaches each year. So […]
Living Worry Free
This week, I read in Jeremiah 17: “This is what the Lord says, ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.’” Prosperity would be […]
For Cryin’ Out Loud!
My gentle Buddhist neighbor accompanies us on the journey to school this morning. He walks behind my friend and me and tries to point out all the beautiful budding trees. But my friend and I stay arm-in-arm, heads buried down, discussing all our parenting woes. We’re totally engrossed in our own problems. “For cryin’ out […]
What You Lose in the Getting
I’m standing in front of my beautiful white Weeping Cherry, and I tell my neighbor, “I wish the blooms were pink.” Pink is so glamorous, so very Spring. Pink has always symbolized energy, love, zeal, and beauty. Instead, I have a white Weeping Cherry. Boring. Usual. Pure, but bland. “If only it were pink like […]
The Box We Pass Around
This morning, I bring out the box of clothes my sister mailed to me. She found used clothing for my daughters to wear. From that box, I keep back a few items that would be perfect for my neighbor’s daughter. She takes the box, and then returns it an hour later with several items of […]
Just This
On the walk to school, we notice the tiniest weeping cherry. Amid the oldest and the tallest, the brightest and the best, this little tree–so humble and no bigger than a chair–makes her contribution. In the shadow of the tall oaks on either side of her, she seems so very small. Stand tall, Little […]
Weep No More
The Weeping Cherry, so bare and empty all year, blooms in full today. I think about this very special week of blooms, and I remember God’s ancient and unchanging ways: I remember Psalm 126: “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to […]
The 3 Most Helpful Changes to Our Diet
For nearly two years, we battled digestion issues and grumpy moods in one daughter. We fought fatigue, joint pain, and headaches. After blood tests and x-rays and specialists and stress, the answer came: change her diet. My bread and butter and cheese loving child had a new protocol. It would involve flax seed and fish […]
Are We Still Having It?
After yesterday’s rain shower, the neighborhood children wonder if we’re still having Monday Night Fitness Group in the parking lot. The phone rings and a little voice asks, “Mrs. Holleman, are we still having Fitness Group?” “Yes! Unless it’s really pouring rain, we’ll be there!” “Good! I can’t wait!” Later at that parking lot, 50 […]