Two years ago today, we left the ER grief-stricken and numb after my sister died unexpectedly. We went to her home to be together, to make calls, to do whatever one does when nothing makes sense and nothing seems real. I've retraced the hours of that day today - the phone call, the waiting, the … Continue reading New Chapters on the Journey of Grief
For the most part, February 2024 was my kind of winter. 50, 60, or even 70-degree days and lots of sunshine. Someone online posted, "Midwesterners are fundamentally better people when it's 50 degrees and sunny in February." Based on my non-scientific research and attitude, it's true. By February, the joy of the first snow has … Continue reading Lessons from Winter
The first car I bought was a red Jeep Cherokee Sport, and I loved her. She had the cool sports rack on top I never needed and a magic window washer fluid dispenser on the back window that shot straight back instead of up on the window. My “Goonies' slick shoes," as I called it, … Continue reading Red Jeeps
Mental illness is not caused by a lack of faith. Many who love Jesus with their whole hearts struggle with mental health. I was one of them many years ago. I loved Jesus AND life was heavy and hard. Addiction to work, hurtful relationships, lack of boundaries. Those were the causes that wore my body … Continue reading Thoughts on Mental Health
At the end of 2013, I gave up New Year’s Resolutions. Instead, I adopted a Word-for-the-Year approach to enter a new year with intention and focus on who I wish to be more than what I hope to accomplish. 2024 is my 10th year. However, the past two years were so overwhelming that I never … Continue reading No Word for the Year
There was a lovely breeze blowing through life late summer. It had been a while, but I dug out my old kite, cleaned it up, and hauled it out to the field with hope. The wind snatched up what I offered, and together, we streaked the sky with ribbons of color. Then, the breeze vanished … Continue reading Hope
I arrived at a local hospital this morning to visit a church member. For the first time since March 2020, I was allowed to park and enter the hospital where I did each Wednesday for years before the pandemic upended our world. As the rain peppered my windshield, I reflected on everything that had changed … Continue reading The Good Ol’ Days
Our technology was wonky during worship today. Some of the Christmas poinsettias sat among dead leaves, withered from a long holiday season of doing their best to shine. Some of us feel the same. A little wonky, a little withered, a little worn out. The new year brings with it a million ads, emails, posts, … Continue reading Hold Me, Jesus
To some, January 1st is simply another date on the calendar. To others, it is a brand-new journal, full of blank pages pregnant with possibility and potential. I’ve always loved the turning of one year into the next. On the shadow side of the Christmas hustle and bustle, I carve out space to sit with … Continue reading Welcome 2023
I've been grieving hard for my sweet sister since returning home from Kenya. It caught me by surprise. As is our nature, I've tried to rationalize and explain this unexpected wave of grief since her sudden passing four months ago. Perhaps the exhaustion of travel or the weariness of being sick the past ten days. … Continue reading Grief
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