The colorful lights, packages wrapped with beautiful bows, Santa’s lap filled with happy children, the music of the season: all these joys spell Christmas. But what if you are smack in the middle of grief this December? What if some of your joy is colored by sadness? Over a million families will be missing someone …
Because life is easier when it’s simple, I have decided to merge that principle into my holiday celebrations. What used to be a November and December filled with activities and the traditional holiday set-ups, I have now prefaced with the following questions: Christmas Cards Although I love to send and receive greeting cards throughout the …
We know the health benefits of gratitude, and we focus on giving thanks—particularly during this week of the year. But every year, it’s a good spiritual practice to redefine and choose again those special things we are grateful for. This is my current list: Hot Water. As I have watched the horrors of the war …
The caller ID showed a familiar number, so I answered it. “Can you come to the church office? We have something for you.” Something for me? Did I forget my Bible at church? No. My journal? Nay, nay. As I entered the office, the administrative assistant handed me a box. “It’s really heavy. Can you …
Perhaps it is the coming of winter that causes moments of reflection. Or the new journal I use to record my thoughts. Or the writer in me who MUST write in order to process life. Whatever the origin, my reflection turns to a time-honored quote. Samuel Taylor Coleridge reminds us how the Jews honored the …
To increase awareness of Domestic Violence Month, this is a re-post about the intensity of writing a novel on the topic of domestic abuse. One out of four women live in destructive relationships. Some of them sit next to you at church or at work. Some of them are in your family. It is important …
He did not know me, and I had never met him. But we shared the usual exchange. “Cash, please. Twenties and tens.” “Date of birth?” The guy at the bank window hurried away to check my account and cash my check. I waited in the drive through, listened to “Hymn of Heaven” on Love-88. Then …
“Get some Brasso,” the handyman said. I had never heard of the stuff but found it at the hardware store. Guaranteed to take the tarnish and other gunk off brass and restore the original shine. Less than five bucks to keep the vintage look of my kitchen cabinet hardware. It wasn’t tarnished too badly, but …
Petting zoos are not just for children. They can be a peaceful haven for adults like me who grew up on a farm and still nurture a country heart. So I was excited to find a petting zoo at one of the local fall festivals. I was eager for the sensory experience of touching and …
A character in the novel I’m reading told his wife, “I love you deep.” What does it mean to love deep and want to love even deeper? Rather than focusing on this fictional human relationship, I decided to reflect on spiritual love. How can we love God deeper and grow into a more intimate relationship …