Even This By Faith: An Answer to Loneliness and Disconnection
I’m happily driving in my minivan (because all seats provide equal viewing of the universe), and I remember how pleased Jesus is by our faith. I remember Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith, it’s impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” I […]
Scatter Far and Wide; Some Will Take Root
The visit with the Bakers was wonderful! A special moment for me was when the daughter (“a face without freckles is like the sky without stars“–that one!) shared with me the list of my blogs she had personally saved to a file over the past four years. She’s a rising 9th grader now, and she’s […]
A Prayer for New Teachers and New Classrooms
It’s that time of year again when teacher assignments come and school supply lists scatter around my kitchen like late-summer dropped flower petals. We love school around here. We count down the days, pack backpacks, pick out special outfits, organize our desks, and begin dreaming of all the wonderful experiences we’ll enjoy and the new […]
Look No Further: The Best Blueberry Cobbler Recipe
Today’s a baking day over here! I wish you were here with me to drink iced coffee, smell all the good buttery smells, and enjoy the morning. We have a special friend coming for lunch, so our treat for her is our favorite blueberry cobbler. Here’s the recipe we use: Best Ever Blueberry Cobbler. We’ve made […]
You’re Catastrophizing
Yes, it’s a verb: catastrophize. It means to make things worse than they actually are. Just to be clear, a catastrophe is an event that causes great damage and suffering. Think plane crashes, war, extreme weather, wildfires, epidemics, etc. These are catastrophes. My life isn’t a catastrophe. Nothing in it is catastrophic. Something in me, […]
All This and the Romantic Dinner Too
The plan to celebrate our 14th anniversary was to end up at dinner and a movie after browsing bookstores (our favorite things). We’re best friends and partners in everything, so we knew we’d have a great night just talking and enjoying whatever came our way. And this is what came our way: All night, we kept […]
“Without Writing, I’d Be Lost.”
We write because it brings us closer to home. It unties what’s knotted up in us. We write because it cares for our souls to do so. My friend tells me that in the past he’s agonized over why he’s writing and for whom and whether this sort of thing–especially the publishing part–diminishes his character. It […]
Lush Indeed
When you approach Pennsylvania from the west, the word you’ll think of is lush. It’s all rolling hills, forests, and farmland. My daughter asks me to define the word for her. Lush means growing luxuriantly. It means rich and juicy and exuberant. It means dense with ripe things. Lush means prolific, abundant, and vigorous. We’re […]
They Will Keep
I remember an exchange in the recent movie Jane Eyre (also in the book) between St. John Rivers and Jane. It’s so simple, but it showcases a great character who isn’t consumed with ambition or personal gain. St. John Rivers worries that Jane’s simple work and life is somehow beneath her or wasteful. He asks: […]
Running Wisdom: If it Hurts, Something’s Getting Stronger
Every few years or so, I try to start running. I’m so sore I could just curl up in a ball and never move again. Muscles that I never used have been thoroughly used. It hurts. I remember this morning that when you’re building muscles and getting fit, the sore feeling means one is getting […]