Joys in the Pennsylvania Woods
This week as I walked along Spring Creek, I learned about a native Pennsylvania wildflower–the red trillium. These don’t last long in the spring, and it’s illegal in some places to pick them. They die very quickly if you do. To me, they seem so beautiful but also rather fragile and almost unnoticeable unless you’re […]
A Prayer God Answered: Easy and Light
On Sunday, I ask my praying neighbors to pray that my week could feel “easy and light.” I was so tired from online teaching and all the stress of future decisions related to teaching, launching a daughter into her freshman year of college, and caring for people. The days felt hard and heavy. But on […]
If You Don’t Have Much Left to Give
This morning I found myself reading 2 Kings 4 and the very familiar story of The Widow’s Olive Oil. Read it as if you are the widow with almost nothing left to give emotionally or physically. Read it as a worn out leader, a depleted parent, or an exhausted teacher. The widow finds herself in […]
Frothing the Almond Milk
I’ve been frothing up my almond milk to make a delicious little homemade latte every morning. It’s a small thing. I realize the joy of small, good things. The frothy foam of the warm almond milk with the coffee is something I thank the Lord for. Frozen mango smoothies, a sleeping cat, a sun-soaked living […]
A Heart Occupied
I read through the book of Ecclesiastes yesterday, and it brought overwhelming joy to my heart (and this shocked me!). Normally, people approach Ecclesiastes as a rather hopeless little book that makes us feel like everything is meaningless. After all, the wisest and richest man who tested himself by denying himself nothing he thought might […]
Free Guarded by Christ eBook for You! This Week Only
Moody Publishers is offering Guarded by Christ as a FREE ebook for you this week. I pray it comforts your heart! https://www.moodypublishers.com/help/#free-ebooks
Just Keep Resting
I find myself so easily exhausted, and I was thrilled to read this article sent by my friend, Patti, called, “Why Am I So Tired?” I love how the author explains what’s happening in our brains as we stay put in this COVID-19 world. I learn about trauma. I learn about stress. I learn about […]
But We Do Have Today
I know I do not handle uncertainty well, but COVID-19 has revealed the depths of how much I rest in careful planning. Perhaps it’s an idol God is shaking from my heart. I especially feel uncertain because I have a daughter getting ready to start college in the fall (and I also teach at a […]
Instead of Always Working
I do love to work, and I love productivity. I love lists and goals and “making the most out of the day.” But something I forced myself to do last night was something joyful and creative for its own sake–not to produce or achieve or work. Watercolor painting! I based my painting on one I’d […]
Helping Neighbors Deal With Fear
Ashley and I made a video for Moody Publishers to answer the question, “How can we help our neighbors deal with fear?” Here’s the link to the video: