Of Prayers and Spiderman: And Why We Need Heroes

It takes a midnight nightmare to let you know what verses you have on active file.  Trying to comfort a frightened four year old, yet still maintain that last vestige of sleep cover, I started reciting the songs and verses that came without thought. “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s…

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Of Friendships and Peanut Butter

She was the friend who invited me over for peanut butter and jelly one day. Juggling our kids in the hallway after Thursday morning Bible study, she spontaneously invited my kids and I, and several other moms and kids, over for a spontaneous let’s-scrounge-up-and-share-whatever-food-is-available-lunch. Over peanut butter and grape jelly, we smoothed toddlers’ faces, nursed…

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Rigor Mortis and Finding Your Place

The wind blows hard, swaying the towering greens, and awkwardly dancing the brown pine that’s in rigor mortis. Summer falls hot and heavy. From behind air-conditioned windows, I contemplate projects, dropping landscaping down to the bottom of the list. Paint trays stack in the laundry room, awaiting creamy Canyon Cloud.   My daughter sits slack-jawed…

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Keeping the Peace on Family Road Trips

Warm transparent lake water lapped over my shoulders, smelling of summer and snails. Sand slipped up my toes. Family camp at Camp Jim looked like red lifeguards on floating docks, life-jacketed preschoolers squealing from yellow water slides, Bible songs and stories ringing within wooden chapels, and families holding hands to pray around cafeteria tables. Our…

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Sneezes, Chocolate, and Counting Gifts

Sneezes chase her into the house, the garage door shutting softer than her achoos. Sleepover energy-drains and allergies have left her red-eyed and dragging. She slinks away to her pink room, with my suggestion for a nap trailing after her.  A weekend of painting, plumbing, and home repairs has left our home shining and our…

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