Like a delicate scale tipping toward the stress side, balance remains a challenge. Work takes the main role. Responsibilities scream, “Do me first. No time for play.” But without play, creativity is a leftover. It fights against the stress and becomes its own version of writer’s block. Not that the words cease, but the sentences …
Since God is timeless, it is always a sweet surprise when I discover him working—right on time. A year ago, I bought a lovely journal to add to my stash. Never enough journals for a writer, you know. This particular journal caught my eye because the cover was a quiet country scene with wildflowers and …
On my daily walk, I discovered this nest lying beside the sidewalk. Empty of eggs. Not even an errant feather left behind. Had it blown out of the tree or was Mama bird simply done with it? I gingerly picked it up and placed it back in a crook of the tree. Hoping it might …
In the southern plains, including my home state of Oklahoma, some folks are labeled “good people.” Even while speaking in the singular, we say, “He’s good people.” This type of person is always focused on helping others, always available to serve — even in ordinary ways. My cousin and his wife are good people. During …
One of the books I’ve been reading this summer is The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr. It’s one of those “I borrowed this from the library, but I need to just buy one for myself so I can keep chewing on it.” With his usual writing style of poetic rhythm merged with contemplative reflection, Rohr …
Working in the garden always seems to trigger a sense of spirituality. An idea for a devotion, a poem, a story or as in this case — a blog post. Perhaps it is my connection with nature as a form of worshipping God. Or maybe it is the opportunity to reflect when doing nothing more …
It happens quickly. We’re marching along in life, then one day we wake up as a ‘senior.’ No one has called us a senior since high school. Somehow, the label does not fit. This senior status is different from the excitement of high school. It feels more like an ending, the foreshadowing of goodbye. Suddenly, …
Several times in the past months, I have shared with friends and clients one of my key principles for life. I discovered it years ago while reading The Hallelujah Factor by Jack R. Taylor. To describe it simply, this practice centers around the focus of gratitude. It changed my life by flipping my mindset. Many …
My deck umbrella waves in the slight spring wind as I sit under its shade. God has granted a beautiful morning and time for reflection. So beautiful outside yet not so lovely within. Still struggling with grief and questions about ‘tomorrow.’ Disgusted with myself that I cannot find even a drop of joy when I …
It would be so much easier to travel the shorter journey. But what if God calls us to the long way? In Exodus 13, God begins to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Freedom! And God encouraged the people with a cloud each day and a pillar of fire each night. Signals that he was …