“Give him the name Jesus,” the angel said. An ordinary, everyday name at the time. Nothing special. Born in an ordinary, everyday place. He lived an ordinary, everyday life. Working his father’s trade in an ordinary village. Living our ordinary lives. Experiencing our hurts and dreams. Our pain and joy. Dancing exuberantly at weddings. Grieving … Continue reading An Ordinary, Everyday Life
A Distant Country
I packed away the Christmas decorations this week. We once had a larger tree in our larger house, circled by gifts for our larger family. Now we have a simple tabletop tree by the window. Ben was excited when we brought it in from the garage. “Twee!” he crowed at the sight. “Ho Ho!” For … Continue reading A Distant Country
We Didn’t Expect You to Come This Way
We didn't expect you to come this way. You were supposed to rescue us from our enemies, but instead you rescued us from ourselves. We expected retribution, but instead you brought healing. We thought you would bring judgment’s sword, but instead you brought words of kindness. Humility. Love. You washed our filthy feet. We didn't … Continue reading We Didn’t Expect You to Come This Way
They Came to Shepherds
To the shepherds they came, millions of angels dazzling in the night. To the last and least, overlooked in the darkened fields owned by others. Not to the blazing torches of power or golden lamps of religion did they appear, for those glory in their own light. But to the glowing coals of the shepherds’ … Continue reading They Came to Shepherds
It’s So Easy
It arrived in my mailbox last month, a small yellow envelope containing words of affection and encouragement. The person who sent it, I knew, had precious little time to compose and mail it to me. And yet, she did. A sacrifice of friendship that sank deep into my soul. The world can be a hard … Continue reading It’s So Easy
Footsteps Left
We pulled off the highway, bumped our way down a tiny side road, and stopped in a small area with fast food wrappers and cigarette butts scattered around it. The sounds of traffic faded into the background as we climbed out of the car and viewed the rugged track before us. The Via Egnatia, once … Continue reading Footsteps Left
Saying Our Prayers
We removed our shoes and stepped into the Blue Mosque, one of Turkey’s most famous sights. The decorated domes soared over our heads as we pressed in to see this remarkable building. The tourist crowd surged around us, snapping pictures and selfies in the beautiful, and yet empty, room, the large carpeted area cordoned off … Continue reading Saying Our Prayers
The Real War
Photo by u00d6mer Faruk Yu0131ldu0131z on Pexels.com Some of us remember when the world’s suffering was relegated to one hour on the nightly news. We watched a sober-faced newscaster recount famines and wars and disasters in far-off places with sorrow in our hearts, and then we returned to a sink full of dishes or our … Continue reading The Real War
A Gift of Chestnuts
We plopped onto a shady bench, weary physically from touring one of Istanbul’s famous mosques in the heat. Weary spiritually from what we’d observed in the intricately decorated building packed with tourists yet devoid of life. “I am old,” my husband sighed to the Turkish man beside us, snacking on a bag of chestnuts. He … Continue reading A Gift of Chestnuts
The List on the Door
We kept a list inside our pantry door when we lived in the mountains. It was an evacuation list. And like the earthquake supplies we stored under the stairs, I kept it updated, just in case. When smoke billowed over the ridge, we packed our papers and our treasures in case we needed to leave. … Continue reading The List on the Door
A View of the Lake 