America the Great

In the last week I have watched two documentary series about 9/11, and the thing that sticks in my mind above all else is how much we’re capable of coming together. Of helping people, while not even thinking about differences. We can just be good humans and good neighbors. If we could just figure out…

Tough Talks

Feast or famine. We’re all getting along gloriously, or annoyed and arguing all day. We find three pairs of shoes we want, or zero pairs of shoes that will be the needed match. The kitchen is full of desserts and we overeat, or we hate everything we see in the pantry. Tough conversations also seem…

You’re Way Too Old For This

Supposedly, it happens to the best of us. The words that made us roll our eyes when we were 12 come out of us, directed at the next generation of children…who inwardly roll their eyes at us. You’re way too old for this I recently said. And almost immediately thought ugh, I hated hearing that.…

Counting Every Blessing

Sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know or we don’t know what we’ve been missing, until we experience a thing and realize that’s what we’ve needed. For the first time in over a year, I went to church to worship in person this morning. I’ve been watching the service online each week and that’s…

Easter People

Every Good Friday, and actually on all my dark days, my favorite words of Pope John Paul II always come to mind. Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. More simply, sometimes our Sunday is just 48 hours away.

Winter of our Quarantine

It’s been the longest winter ever. The winter of our discontent, you might say, even though I don’t have fond memories of that book. Months of cold and rainy weather. A crazy election. Half of America acting like we’re not in a pandemic and now half a million people in our country are gone. Steinbeck’s…

Promise in Lenten Ashes

I know today’s ashes are about reflection and repentance, but I have been weary in these recent days and working hard to shift my focus back to my word for 2021: promise. Every promise spoken over me. Every promise spoken into my heart. All of God’s promises. Promises that I am certain will come to…

Ugly Truths

I’m so tired of left and right finger-pointing. I’m tired of “but you guys” did this or that. Or statements that include the words “both sides.” I’m done with this week’s responses like “criticizing the Capitol participants is hypocritical of you.” Or “you didn’t condemn the violence at Black Lives Matters protests last summer.” Actually…

Quarantine Christmas

Nine months into quarantine. And it’s Christmas. Nine months into a pregnancy. The first Christmas. Men and women preparing for an event that should be filled only with joy, but that also includes days that are sometimes marred by confusion or frustration or trepidation. Hearts in people that love God, and yet are still in…

Just Because

This morning on the way home from an eye appointment with Ella, I saw my eagle. I feel such a kinship with this bird and this is the lowest and closest he has ever been flying near me. The pictures are not good because I didn’t think to get the phone/camera in time because I…