Pansies, Justice, and Spilled Humanity
Hot fair trade coffee in my black and steel mug. Daniel’s discarded last orange slice beside me, in fragrance fresh. A cluster of cheerful lavender and tangerine pansies crowd a short goblet down the counter from me. I journal and read God’s word while my kids sleepily watch Ponyo in the adjoining room. Cheerful harmony…
Leadership Teams and Seeking God’s Leading
At work today as the church Body Life Coordinator, I have been brainstorming the small group line ups for this fall. My desire is to not simply create events for events’ sake in today’s overly-busy world, but to prayerfully choose what will best benefit my church body. My desire is for them to be connected…
Counting Gifts and Other Lessons from the She Speaks Conference 2011
The words dripped off her lips. Slowing her cadence, she naturally wove her story around us, drawing us in. “Open handed living is the only way to take the hand of God. Counting gifts changes my default of discontent to doxology. Never disdain the small; moments are what add up. A pen can be a…
Honest Struggles and God’s Tender Heart
I confess. Wednesday and Thursday were harder days for me. I was in the throes of a conflict and was trying to respond well to it. I was hurt, angry, and discouraged. Waking up early Thursday, I made some strong Turkish coffee and hunched over the kitchen table with my Bible, journal and Bible study…
Snowy Streaks
There she was! The garage door was open, her back car lights were red, and I couldn’t tell if she was coming or leaving. My elusive neighbor was a regal-looking Asian Indian Grandmother who was new to the area. She worked fulltime, and then spent several nights a week learning English from community classes. Despite…
Snowflake Artist
I treated myself to coffee this morning. It was 8:45 and I stopped by the locally-owned Dunn Brothers on my way to work. A chocolate steamed nirvana, they call it. Espresso, chocolate, steamed milk, it was a mocha deluxe. My window was rolled down still from the exchange of money, awaiting my coffee, but it…
Snow Storms and Roaring Race Cars
“I wish it would snow so much that we would be snowed in for days!” my son has long exclaimed. Finally over Christmas this year, he got his wish! Our state was getting predictions of 18-20 inches of snow for Christmas Eve and day. Not wanting to get snowed in and miss out on time…
Head Games On and Off the Track
Running is such a mind game. The first mile last night was fun and not bad. (Music does a lot, I’ve decided!) The second mile yesterday was hard for me, tortuous. My thoughts of “Oh, just stop at the next lap” warred with my determination to keep going. I’m pretty sure my plodding, mournful jogging…
Snow Dustings, Queen Nefertiti, and Sushi
A light dusting of snow swirls in each gust of wind outside. The heater has just clicked on inside and I smell warm metal. The house is quiet: my family is either napping or off at Operation Christmas Child or on a playdate. Sweeping the last crumbs off my lips, my chocolate chip cookie just…