Rungs on Ladders and Pearls on Strands
This morning I read a wonderful image in God is Enough from Hannah Whitall Smith. She says to imagine all the “homely services of our daily lives and the little sacrifices each day demands” as “rungs in the ladder by which we are mounting to our thrones.” Each little death to self is a rung […]
More Like Elizabeth
Do you know what I love about the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth in Luke 1:39 and onward? It’s Elizabeth’s attitude and good character. To set the scene, Mary knows she’s having the baby Jesus, so she travels to her relative’s home in a hurry. She was probably overwhelmed and in great need of support […]
Encouragement for Painful Holidays
I remember how, before I understood how I was seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, before I understood how “all seats provide equal viewing of the universe,” and before I realized God has perfect good works prepared in advance for me and my whole family, I lived in jealousy, comparison, and loneliness—especially around the […]
The Longest Sleep
A little girl–my sweet neighbor–stands in my front yard and asks me a question: “Do you know which animal sleeps the longest?” she asks. “A sloth?” I suddenly find myself caught up in the mystery of it. Her eyes sparkle as she’s about to reveal the answer. She’s so happy with the discovery of this […]
5 Unusual Rituals of Wellness
My university–like many others around the nation–will institute “Wellness Days” next semester instead of sending everyone home for Spring Break (which is canceled). My syllabus will include several of these “Wellness Days.” It’s such a fun phrase to consider. What would happen on your Wellness Day if someone gave you one? As you know, I […]
The Cookie Factory
All This You
I often leave students with my favorite quotes from Mary Pipher’s book Writing to Change the World. I think about her words as I shape my own life as a writer and speaker. As you consider your own writing and speaking life, consider her words: “You have something to say that no one else can say. […]
All the Delights for You
This morning, I pause over Psalm 36:8 regarding people who find refuge in God. David writes to God, “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.” I look up the verse so I can see the original Hebrew (I use blueletterbible.org). As I look at some […]
Winter Gifts from the Forest
I love pinecones and winter berries. We take a winter walk yesterday, and we casually pick up interesting branches and pinecones. When we return home, we place the pinecones on a baking sheet (lined with parchment) to bake them at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. This will loosen any sap and let it melt down […]
Organizing All the Recipes
With my oldest daughter home from college, I think about preparing all her favorite dinners. And with more time at home with COVID-19, I finally decide to organize my treasured recipes in a binder with clear page protectors. I print out freshly typed recipes from old and tattered recipe cards (Like Grandma Kitty’s Christmas Caramel […]