Greeting the Acorns
On the partial walk to school, we watch the acorns grow as the leaves begin to change color. We’ll gather these large acorns and paint them for autumn decorations. This year, we’re thinking about painting autumn scenes on the oak leaves. But for now, we marvel at a new season almost here.
Always Remember Greater Joy
When temptation comes our way, remember that Jesus offers greater joy than this thing. Stop and consider Psalm 4 and how the writer proclaims, “Who can show us any good? Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine […]
Some Advice that Helped Me When Depressed
Sometimes students come to my office to talk about depression and anxiety, and they ask the same question: Why are you so happy? It wasn’t always this way! Oh, if you only knew the dark places and the long years of feeling estranged from myself, of wanting to die, and of feeling hopeless despair! If […]
Sneaking Up on the Pumpkins
The dried out pumpkin patch’s leaves stand at attention in the day-long rain. I sneak out, like I’m spying on them. What a joy to see such rapid growth each new day! What a joy to see how the leaves that once withered on the ground spring to life with vital rain!
Applying Pressure to the System
I’ve been telling my daughters about the phenomenon that every system naturally moves towards chaos. It’s true! It’s true! Without applying some organizational pressure to our systems–environment, work, emotions, body, spiritual life–we move towards chaos. As I note how, in just one day, I see piles of books and papers and early signs of disruption, […]
May It Carry a Blessing
My seminary professor once said, “Nothing mattered more to God’s people than securing His blessing. There was nothing more important. Everything was about being blessed by God.” Today I thought more carefully about what it means to have the blessing of God and why people would do anything to have that blessing. I ask my […]
Revise, Resubmit
This week, my literary agent decided to represent a novel I wrote six years ago after significant revisions. What exciting news! I’m learning this about the whole world of writing and publishing: You keep steady. You write. You do what you do. If something doesn’t hit the market in the right way, you consider revising […]
Once Again: After a Season of Loss and Heartache
I take my hurting neighbor to the compost pile and point to what became of the garbage of our lives. I talk about pain and loss and heartache and how Jesus always made something grow from it—some beautiful and unexpected thing that I neither controlled or helped along or even knew to want at all. […]
And I Walked, But Less
Today, my youngest begins 7th grade. So I walked her to school, but only part way. She met up with friends, and I scooted away. In this parenting journey, I note milestones when life changes. After walking children down that hill for a decade–yes, a decade!–I’m phasing out of this part of my life. I […]
Back to School: Weekly Menu, Lunch Box Ideas, and Snacks!
It all starts tomorrow! 7th and 10th grade! This means I enter a new season of lunchbox ideas, after school snacks, and easy family dinners. For the discouraged and tired among us, I thought about including some of our favorite and unusual dinners that don’t take long to make. This is our menu for the […]