Over Christmas break, our family spent an afternoon downtown at the Cummer Museum of Art. Although the afternoon together was lovely and seeing artistic excellence is always inspiring, the artwork pictured above has haunted me for the past few weeks. Amid the various artistic styles, this one, I wish, were a little more abstract. But... Continue Reading →
The Gift No One Wants
I was probably 6-years-old when I received a jogging suit in a Christmas gift exchange between my mom’s friends and their kids. To say I was disappointed in receiving something to wear versus something to play with is an understatement. Much to my mom’s embarrassment, I couldn’t (or chose not to) hide my disappointment. My... Continue Reading →
His Promise is Certain: A 40th Birthday Tribute
Today, this best friend of mine celebrates a milestone birthday! I don’t remember when our friendship started, because when we first met, it was as if we’d known each other forever. Our lives overlapped in 2004 for about 6 years, and our husbands can attest to the fact that from the beginning, we were inseparable.... Continue Reading →
How a Public School Student Teacher Changed My Life
There weren’t any signs on the school saying, “Come as you are! You’re welcome here!” They certainly weren’t rolling out the red carpet for my arrival. In all likelihood, many of them didn't want me there. So how did this first grader who lived in the local public housing complex and was zoned for the worst... Continue Reading →
Linked In: The Resume of God’s Servants
The world had just survived the turn of a new millennium, leaving people wondering what they were going to do with all those unneeded canned goods and jugs of water they’d hoarded in their basements or Y2K bunkers. Like most other young adults whose optimism and naiveté deemed anything catastrophic practically impossible, we barely noticed... Continue Reading →
Present
The drive from Michigan to Ohio that Sunday afternoon, 10 years ago, wasn’t ideal by myself with two little ones. I kept the volume low to avoid waking up the nappers, so I strained to hear Sandra McCracken’s lyrics, prayed, then passed around snacks, and started videos. My mom would call with updates of how... Continue Reading →
Keep Your Eyes Open
To see you then as I see you now, our young, untested love couldn’t handle it. To see how nearly 17 years can take and toss two lives together like dirty laundry on the high spin, heavy soil, hot wash cycle of a machine, leaving us dizzy and hung out to dry. “Keep your eyes... Continue Reading →
Ponderings from a Pierced Heart
We hold our babies, swaddle them, sing to them. We study their hands unwrapping their fingers grip on ours, wondering if they’ll be able to palm a basketball or reach an octave on the piano. We love to dream of their potential. We pray for them. But every mother knows we can verbalize only a... Continue Reading →
Resurrection Power (On Your 39th Birthday)
You wake up with a kink in your neck and a pain down your back. As you shut off the alarm your mind startles awake, wondering if it’s Sunday, then settles because it’s not. But, it doesn’t take long for it to turn to Ecclesiastes (out of habit these past months), until you remember it’s... Continue Reading →
Having Fresh Eyes for Those Who Walk Through Our Church Doors
She whipped the car into the church parking lot, pulling the keys out of the ignition and shoving them into her purse. Being late was nothing new to us, but it usually came with some embarrassment. This time, however, being late was a relief. We hoped to slip in without having to talk with people... Continue Reading →
Shock and Awe
You’re not one to pick up on a turn of phrase or value strategically placed words. You barely slow down to read these posts, smile and say, “Thank you, Mommy!” I suppose I write them, then, to show you someday, maybe when time and age have caught up with you, that behind these little words... Continue Reading →
I Do
“Let’s say our vows to each other again today at the wedding.” You looked at me with that familiar, comfortable love which still makes sparks fly, no matter what nays others say. I agreed. So we did. Right there in our pew, in silent meditation, along with Aaron and Cassidy, our arms entwined and our... Continue Reading →