I jerked awake, heart pounding. Men’s voices came from the deep darkness outside my window. My husband gone that night, I mentally ran through my options. A call to the sheriff would be routed to a city 30 minutes away. I didn't own a weapon outside of a softball bat. Our house backed up to … Continue reading Climb the Hill
#hope
Written in the Clouds
There's something holy about sunsets. Long after it sets, the sun’s light lingers in the lavender clouds drifting slowly over me as I stand in my front yard, small against the majesty. Each evening brings the chance to pause; to consider the art and Artist speaking in silent extravagance. We visited Italy last year, and … Continue reading Written in the Clouds
The Astounding Persistence of Life
I'm blessed to live in a part of the world where Spring charges in like a green tsunami, a sudden wave washing over winter’s barrenness with life bursting from every twig and field. So overwhelming is the change, that within a week we’re outside in the still-cool air, mowing and trimming and cutting the growth … Continue reading The Astounding Persistence of Life
My Grandfather’s Slate
My grandfather was born in 1866, a mere three months after the end of the Civil War; long before the first light bulb or automobile. The telephone wouldn't make its appearance for ten more years. And he carried a simple slate to school in the one-room schoolhouse in rural Maine. That slate sits in my … Continue reading My Grandfather’s Slate
Why Did the Angels Leave?
Sometimes I wonder why angels left the love and beauty of heaven. How could they abandon such goodness? They were created into wholeness and perfection, surrounded by glory, given power and purpose. And yet, the Bible tells us that a third of them gave it all up to follow Satan and his cruel ways. Adam … Continue reading Why Did the Angels Leave?
A Box of Our Own
“It must be him.” His eyes shifted to the messenger standing uncertainly in the doorway, his mind spinning frantically at the memories. Of the party, the dancing. His foolish oath. “It must be John the Baptist, risen from the dead!” The messenger bowed and backed away as Herod clenched his fist. Herod, who had killed … Continue reading A Box of Our Own
You Never Know
Here we are in 2025. Are you as surprised as I am? And truthfully, are you afraid of what’s coming our way in this next year? The dawning of a new year used to bring hope. Determination to do better. Plans to make it our best year yet. But ever since Covid-19 upended the world, … Continue reading You Never Know
Exposed to Hope
Here’s an article I wrote for Gospel-Centered Discipleship. I hope it blesses you. https://gcdiscipleship.com/article-feed/exposed-to-hope-the-evangelism-of-welcome
Choices and Limitations
“He’s 3, with 32 years of experience” is how I describe my son Ben these days. Still stymied by tic-tac-toe and overjoyed by a jar of peanut butter, yet he's got over three decades of living under his belt. Last winter we took a long car ride, spent a night in a hotel and took … Continue reading Choices and Limitations
The Door Behind Us
We squeezed into our airplane seats, Ben poking eagerly at the seatback video screen. The familiar safety instructions started and I turned my gaze to the window as we rolled down the taxiway. "Your closest exit may be behind you," the perky flight attendant reminded us. Why? Because sometimes our focus is so fixed ahead … Continue reading The Door Behind Us