An Image from Psalm 18
This morning, I find myself so happy about the image in Psalm 18 about our feet being like the feet of the deer that stand on the heights. David writes: As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our […]
The Nice Little Walk
I love when friends ask me to take a little walk. I’m ready! Let’s go! I love that taking a little walk combines exercise with connecting relationally. I love that I don’t have to prepare or go anywhere—I just throw on shoes. I’ve been known to take a walk in my pajamas because someone wanted […]
God Lifts You
I’m meditating on perhaps a new favorite verb in scripture: lifts. God lifts you. He’s the lifter of your head. My journey into understanding this little Hebrew verb began with Psalm 3:3 where we read of David’s troubling cry to the Lord as he flees from his son Absalom. I learn, first of all, that […]
Such a Comfort: God Will Fulfill His Purpose for You
Today I complete the last lesson in my online COMPEL training book club with Proverbs 31 Ministries. It’s been such a joy to teach writing lessons to over 400 participants these past four weeks. As I think about “sending them off” on this last day, I can’t help but think of what might most encourage […]
Oh, I Insist! You Shall Enjoy This!
I find it so comforting that a previous owner of my home planted a peony garden where nobody can see it. It sits by the compost bin, nearly hidden by the winterberry bush, and definitely blocked from anyone’s view by the backyard fence. The hidden peony garden raises this question: Why plant a peony garden […]
When You Let Things Be
If you’ve noticed, I haven’t taken but one photo of nests this season. It’s because I realized that my photography disturbs the birds. Maybe you all have been thinking this all along! I consider what it means to observe and delight in nature without disturbing it for my own pleasure or curiosity. I watch from […]
It Doesn’t Have to Be Your Best Work
This morning I remember the best advice someone gave me in graduate school at the University of Michigan. As I struggled to finish my dissertation, a wise man said, “Just finish it. It doesn’t have to be your best work. It won’t be your best work.” Oh, I rejoiced! I sighed with relief! I realized […]
And the Winner? Apple Rum Raisin
I loved my late morning jaunt to the Boalsburg Memorial Day Pie Contest. It’s a tradition for my husband and me to arrive early to this nearby little town, enjoy all the banter about the pies, talk to the residents of Boalsburg, and lounge on the cool grass while we listen to the high school […]
Planting All the Herbs
Instead of growing the normal vegetables this summer (peppers, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash), we decide instead to turn the entire garden into an herb garden. I’m thrilled! I spend so much time and money shopping for all my fresh herbs, but now, I can just lean into my backyard garden and pluck what […]
“The Characteristics of Daily Life”
This morning I read Hannah Whitall Smith’s words about what she noticed about the inevitable character of those who follow the Lord. In a truly consecrated soul, she writes, “meekness and quietness of spirit become in time the characteristics of daily life.” In addition, she adds these qualities: A submissive acceptance of the will of […]