The Smallest Seed
I’ve sprouted an apricot seed that’s now planted in a pot with soil. I’m waiting, waiting, waiting for the first green shoot to emerge. I will then, after several months of growth, plant my apricot tree in the perfect spot in the backyard. This whole journey began because a woman I met at the Boalsburg […]
Obedience and Joy
Last night my pastor friend, Josh, told me about an upcoming sermon in which he makes the wonderful and astonishing claim that obedience and joy are essentially the same. I stand there in my kitchen, overwhelmed with the truth of it. When I’m most joyful, I’m most surrendered. Josh says, “Yes! Because surrender and obedience […]
The Perfect Weather
70 degrees, sunny with blue skies and patches of fluffy white clouds, light breeze, and low humidity: I’ve discovered my favorite weather day. What a day to treasure!
It’s Never Too Late
Today I began physical therapy for a knee that’s bothered me since 1994. 1994! As I learned various stretches to strengthen the ligaments, I felt foolish for never learning these before. We talked about how different and comfortable walking will feel now and how I’ll now protect my knee for years to come. I said, […]
The Bunny Who Makes a Way
I believe the bunny in my backyard came for the berries, the basil, and the clover. We wonder, though. How? We’ve finally fenced in the backyard, and the gate stays tight to the ground. No bunnies could possibly enter. But the bunny digs. He burrows under. No fence stops him. I watch him feasting with […]
With Foresight
Today I consider what it means to make decisions or to conduct any action with foresight. Foresight: thinking of what you’ll need in the future and how this moment’s behavior affects that future Consider this very moment: How will this behavior or decision influence the future? What impact will this have on tomorrow, on next […]
A Great Little Prayer
This morning in Colossians 4, I read about someone “wrestling in prayer.” Epaphras, one of Paul’s fellow servants of the Lord, was praying for the people of Colossae like this in verse 12: He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I […]
Remember Spiritual Battle
I often forget I’m in a battle. I’m in a war, and so are you. But I go about my Christian life, plodding along like I’m on vacation (not engaged in warfare), and then I find myself thrust into confusion or discouragement. I find more examples of calamity and distress. Everywhere I look, I suddenly […]
Call Out
This morning I read the astonishing words of the Lord in Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. I consider how we often simply and foolishly do not call upon the Lord. We ask Him nothing. We don’t go to Him with our […]
Card Games, Recipes, Walks
The summer days are upon us! I’ve learned after all these years that the good life, the abundant life, and the life full of joy and adventure happens internally; it’s never about where you are or how much you’re paying for an experience. When you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can […]