At the Time, It’s the Worst
We watch a storm roll in, and for a few minutes, darkness and rumbling cover everything we can see. Within the hour, however, the sun breaks through, the clouds move on, and all is well. Someone says, “When you’re in that storm, it feels like the worst thing in the world.” You can’t remember that […]
Add This to My List of Southern Sandwiches
Well, I’ve had pulled pork with slaw, toasted pimento cheese, BLT’s, every kind of “salad” combination (ham, tuna, chicken), but I have never in my life imagined this Southern Sandwich: Banana-bacon-mayo. It’s a real thing. I watch as it’s prepared. I’m doubtful and astonished. I’m resistant. I’m scared. And then, I eat my banana-bacon-mayo on […]
Never Forsaken
Sometimes a sentence in the Bible will create such a stir in my soul. It’s a truth stir, going deeper than even my own mind and emotions. It’s an inner being kind of resonance, a mysterious harmony with truth. It’s a song I know. I read in Psalm 9:10: “Those who know Your name will […]
Compression
When a joint swells, I think about how a compression sleeve helps stabilize and reduce swelling by supporting blood flow. When pressed, life feels constricted, confined, caged. But perhaps God has us in a tight spot to stabilize and promote healing.
Neither Poverty or Riches
I read in Proverbs 30:7-9 another great passage about life’s pleasant boundaries. The wisdom reads as follows as a request to God: Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is […]
Slow and Steady
I make the weekly plans to clean the house and organize some closets. Normally, I clean in a frenzy. But I feel tired today. So I consider: There’s no rush. Why rush? A little here, a little there. One room here, one room there. I used to clean frantically and race car driver fast because […]
When You Fear the Future
I’m working on an article for a women’s ministry site to address the profound fear of the future in young adults especially. I encounter many students, for example, who arrive to my office in tears, overwhelmed with decisions and possible outcomes. One student said, “I want the life my parents have, but I have no […]
Yes, If
Today I remember both the leadership advice and parenting tip to say “yes” as much as possible. Instead of “no, because,” I’m challenged to say, “yes, if.” Yes, if changes the environment of the meeting or home to possibility, encouragement, hope, and innovation. It opens up conversation. Yes, if makes things happen. The onslaught comes […]
6 Great Requests
I read in Psalm 119 six great prayer requests from verses 33-38. We read: Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees. . . Give me understanding. . . Direct me in the path of your commands. . . Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain Turn my eyes from worthless […]