At the end of every season, if I have time, it’s helpful to reflect and think about the things that I’ve been learning. In no particular order, these are ten things I learned this year. New Testament Greek. I’ve still got another quarter to go, but this fall, I signed up for NT Greek thinking…
On Coming Home, an Advent Homily
My homily for December 15, 2018 The Scripture Verses were: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 *** One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies Bridgett Jones Diary. My friend, Katie, and I try to watch it every year. Bridget is this woman turned thirty who can’t seem to catch a break on life….
On Alcohol, Nostalgia, and Living in the Present During Advent
Some time ago I wrote a post about about my long relationship with wine, and also about my decision to marry John. I married John, moved out to Lake Joy, and somehow found the courage to write about all these things overtly and covertly depending on my mood. Moods make the piece, whatever they are….
God’s Economy, a Homily
I gave the homily the other day at our Soup and Bread gathering. I’ve edited it a bit for fluidity, but here it is. * * * The lectionary readings for the evening were Psalm 127, Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, and Mark 12:38-44. It doesn’t take very long for people to realize that much of this world…
My Daughter Started High School. I Can’t Stop Crying.
Well, they’re off. Emma starts freshman year of high school this week and Lucas begins eighth grade. I’m mostly speechless. There’s this big lump in my throat and a throbbing pain in my heart and I can’t seem to stop crying. I miss it when they were little and they each had little Pottery Barn…
School Starts Next Week. This is My Prayer.
My daughter is starting high school, and as proud as I am of her, I couldn’t be more overwhelmed at the nature of life. It feels like just yesterday I was driving behind the yellow school bus as she started kindergarten. I prayed that God would go with her, and that she’d make some good…
On Keeping a More Accurate Diary, and other Changes I want to Make at Forty-One
This weekend, I turned forty-one. We celebrated by going to Friday Harbor. It was wonderful. But mostly, I asked for it to stay low-key. What’s forty-one? Ten years ago I wanted parties and presents and lots of people. Now, it feels more meaningful to be still, and for the day to be as ordinary as…
What Does it Mean to Be Holy, and What Does it Mean For Me?
Lately, I’ve been wondering about social media and smart phones. Do I have a phone addiction? Is God trying to speak to me about said addiction? What is my relationship to my phone and I how do I find balance? More importantly, what is God trying to say to me in my life right now?…
Is it Real if I Don’t Post about it on Instagram or Facebook?
For my birthday John surprised me with a quick trip out of town with my kids. We stayed the night at a bed and breakfast, zig-zagged our way through a fun little town, and rented bicycles. We cycled down country roads, pointed to darling farmhouses, talked about nothing and everything, felt the wind in our…
Mercy, Understanding, Time to Grieve: The Gifts We Give Each Other
John and I have been married for two years. We made our vows to one another in the backyard standing on the dock. Immediate family attended, and a dear family friend officiated the ceremony. It was tender and beautiful, one of those moments in my life that felt wholly right and simultaneously, overwhelming. There are…