Curl and Unfurl
A New Day. A New Season.
Today my oldest daughter graduates from high school. I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t be overwhelming or too emotional, but it is. It’s a new day. A new season. She’s grown up, and so am I.
When the Enemy Is Also You
Sometimes when we search our hearts, it’s hard to admit the ugliest sins of pride, superiority, judgement, hatred, or all those things we don’t want to see in ourselves. The shame is so great that we do things like make excuses, ignore, or hide. Shame feels like a disintegration of self and a tormenting sense […]
Some Beauty and Some Mystery
An update: The garden baskets grow–almost too well on one side. The blackberries look so healthy. (We’re using “scare tape” — a shimmery and reflective strip of tape that you hang near your berries to scare birds away. The tape looks like a snake or predator, and they supposedly flee. I’ll keep you posted if […]
When It’s Time
I’ve been listening and praying and searching my own heart about racial injustice in our nation. Today, I felt hope. I felt real hope! But I still feel discouraged and unsure about what I can do in my town, in my position, and with my skills and resources. My prayer is that God will lead […]
When You Think You’ve Planted a Cherry Tomato Plant but It’s Actually a Ground Cherry. It’s Not the Same.
I thought I had picked up a cherry tomato plant, but it was actually a ground cherry. I happily planted my little plant but then noticed it didn’t seem like a normal cherry tomato plant. (As you can tell, I don’t know what I’m doing in my garden sometimes!) I’ve had to learn all about […]
Pure, Sincere Wisdom
Today I considered James 3:17 when I ask God for wisdom for how to respond to various circumstances whether within my own family or within my larger community. I remember how James warns us that “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good […]
The Holy Spirit Uprooting Racism
This morning I woke up thinking again about racism. I thought about all the hurt and all the sadness. Then I thought about the Holy Spirit. I thought about the presence of the Living Christ in a hurting world who brings about a new kingdom. I thought about God’s word and its transforming power to […]
To Mulch
Today, I mulched. I mean, I really mulched. I mulched for hours. It involved a wheelbarrow, pitchfork, and a big pile of mulch. Mulch is a fun word to say. Mulch. As a verb, to mulch simply means to treat or cover an area of the ground with some material (grass clippings, shredded bark, wood […]
The Lady Slipper Orchids Remind Us: We Need You
Today I discover the beautiful and rare Lady Slipper Orchids in the forest. Back in 2011, I learned what they mean in a post I wrote called “Why You Belong Right Here.” It might be one of my top 5 Live with Flair posts. Enjoy below: I’m walking with my neighbor in the woods. All […]