I Might Even Wear My Jean Jacket
Tonight, I’ll attend my 6th (maybe 7th, I’ve lost count), S.L.A.M Fair at the elementary school down the street. This Science, Literature, Art, and Music (SLAM) event brings us all so much joy. This is my fancy Friday night: elementary school experiments and performances, pizza, and ice-cream. I’ve actually texted friends to make sure they’ll […]
“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”
Today I find novelist and screenwriter Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing. He eventually summarizes all of his wisdom in eight little words:If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.You might ask, “Well, what should it sound like, then?” It should sound like your voice. It should sound like an actual person talking. When this happens, […]
4 Things to Pray for Your Life
When I read Colossians 1:9-14 today, I remember exactly how to pray for myself and others. I pray what Paul prayed: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(S)”> through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,10 so that you may live […]
This Will Not Last (and This is Wonderful)
Two years ago, it was glorious. The Weeping Cherry bloomed in full. That bloom is what I’ve waited for all year. It’s here now! This moment! Today! Sadly, the blooms explode on the very day the forecast calls for wind and rain. In fact, the rain falls even now. We’re going to lose these blooms. […]
Hovering Over the Mess
I read a great prayer today in which the author talks about inviting the Holy Spirit to hover over the mess and chaos of the day and to begin exerting the creative, organizing, miraculous power of God. In Genesis 1, I read how the earth was “formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of […]
We Lived Easter Every Day
I’m enjoying my role as Keeper of Traditions in the family. At Easter, we have traditions that our family loves. Our favorite tradition is the crying out, “He is risen!” (and then we all cry back, “He is risen indeed!”) We love Easter; the ham, the special dinner rolls, the hidden Easter baskets with Easter […]
The Golden Egg
This morning our neighbors invite us to join them on an Easter Egg hunt in the forest. As I make my way past thorns, briars, fallen logs, and piles of leaves (this is the forest!), I find myself so full of delight. Then, I realize I’m in charge of hiding the Golden Egg. I can […]
With Every Burial, a Resurrection
Today, I recall Annie Dillard’s quote that I wrote about this time last year. She profoundly asks this about Jesus: “Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it?” I wondered last year what my life might be […]
In the Shriveled, Dry Nothing of It
Do you remember the Glorious Homemade Trellis my husband made for me for Mother’s Day last year? I love this trellis! I loved that we picked out peachy-pink colored climbing rose bushes that I just know will one day cover the whole side of the house. We pruned, and three months later, we had beautiful […]
Winning Favor
Today I remember that I’m not fighting to win God’s favor. I already have it in full. I’m approved of, well-liked, and blessed because I’ve received the righteousness of Christ. God’s attitude towards me is one of glorious favor. In Psalm 90:17, the writer asks, “May the favor of the Lord rest on us; establish […]