I always thought he would be the safe one. As a woman, I understand that my daughters are inherently vulnerable due to their gender. I am familiar with knowing the right place to park, with being aware of my surroundings and with not walking alone at night. I also understand that my son with special … Continue reading On having a black son
Month: May 2020
Moonrise
I watched the full moon rise earlier this month, the quiet lake shimmering in its glow. It brought back a memory of our family gathered around our old black and white Magnavox television to watch in awe as men's footprints first touched the moon's powdery surface. "That's one small step for man", Neil Armstrong said, … Continue reading Moonrise
"Following Jesus is serious business. It is a life of joy, otherworldly peace, and unexpected exhilaration, but it is not to be taken lightly. Stating the commitment is not enough. I don't want a faith that is trivial or that lacks integrity. I want a Christian life that is deep, intense, spiritually fulfilling, and real." … Continue reading
Tucking Ben In
We have lost many things in this pandemic. Some of them needed to go. Others tore out a portion of our peace in the leaving. Some of our assumptions are weakening; things like optimism for the future and a confidence that everything will return to normal. Other losses serve to grant us perspective and teach … Continue reading Tucking Ben In
Launch
Before every rocket launch, there is a lengthy time of preparation. The crew needs to be equipped for their flight, communication systems tested, fuel loaded, trajectory calculated. There is a lot of advice out there on how to get through this Covid 19 quarantine period. It's been a good time to rest, reorganize our lives, … Continue reading Launch
Mother’s Day
Mother's Day and I have had a complicated relationship. I had a challenging relationship with my own mother, and did my best to bless and honor her no matter how I felt. I know the challenge of the card section in the drugstore, lingering long to find that one card that was kind, but not … Continue reading Mother’s Day
Spices
"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body." (Mark 16:1)It was barely light when the women made their way down the dusty path to the place of the dead. They walked in the silence of shock and sorrow. … Continue reading Spices
Filler
I'm reading a book right now that captured my attention in the introduction. There were a few sentences, deep and true, that made me hunger for more. The more I read, though, the more I find a few great ideas and a lot of filler. Books, blog posts, lectures and sermons go this way often, … Continue reading Filler
A View of the Lake 