A Packed Lunch Forgotten
Early this morning, I packed the fresh pineapple, the fresh bread, and the Italian salami and cheese. I packed the tangy mustard and the napkin, the fork, the water. And I forgot it right there in the kitchen. All day, I thought of the feast prepared and feast forgotten. I thought of all that would […]
The Festival Today
Today I read this quote by Isaac Bashevis Singer: “The real truth is this: The whole world is joy. Heaven is a festival all year long. Of all lies, the greatest falsehood is melancholy.” I think about the ordinary walk through my neighborhood where I began taking pictures of acorns in 2010 to marvel at […]
In the Path of Beauty
We stand outside, deliberately placing ourselves in the path of falling leaves, burnt orange and candy apple red trees, and a rising sun. We have places to be and things to do, but right now, we stand here, absorbing the colors and smells of autumn. It feels like a cozy blanket around us; it smells […]
All the Falling
Job Description from Jesus
I laughed and smiled with relief when a fellow Cru staff member sent me the professional “job descriptions” her Bible study wrote from an imagined perspective of Jesus, rooted in scripture. Jesus is seeking surrendered person to rest in Him and enjoy Him. Position requires cooperation with the Holy Spirit to do the work for […]
Dappled Things
Low Tide in Okinawa
My friend in Okinawa posted a picture of low tide by the Sunabe Sea Wall. She says that she loves low tide because of what it reveals; the departing water leaves behind coral, shells, and sea glass too beautiful to even describe. I immediately think of life’s more stark times: I think about times in […]
When You Don’t Try to Relate
Today I felt supremely frumpy and old-fashioned in my loafers, cardigan, and twisted up hair; I’m dressed exactly how I looked in the 90’s. So I’m sitting in my office on campus, and it’s the kind of day when I feel so much older than my students. I’ve become increasingly aware of their particular expressions, music, […]
In Praise of Morning Traffic
This morning, I drive across town to drop my oldest daughter, who normally takes the bus, off at high school. As we move through traffic in the crisp autumn air, we note the rising sun turning the tips of the trees golden. We note all the morning activity: crossing guards gesturing with authoritative hands, school […]
At the Table
I’ve been thinking more deeply about Ephesians 2:6 and being seated with Christ. Something I didn’t write about in Seated with Christ is the joy of the banquet and how much we read in scripture about the value of food and feasting together at the table. I recently ordered the book, The Lifegiving Table, by Sally […]