Under the eaves I sit, watching the rain wash the darkness. Knowing it breaks and nourishes the ground it fills, cleansing in its course. A breeze cools, fingers my hair. Vanishes. I breathe in the sweet, damp air while the rain falls down, flows down, always down its way, its design, refreshing and softening the … Continue reading Under the Eaves
#hope
A Sudden Spring
Here in the far northern part of the U.S., spring arrives in a rush. Mere days after leaves start to appear, small and tightly curled, they burst forth, transforming the forest from stark gray to startling, glowing green. Our neighbors, who a few weeks ago were boiling maple sap into syrup in the snow, are … Continue reading A Sudden Spring
Keeping Watch
I watch the sun sink beyond the birch and maple, grateful for lingering light on these almost-spring days. Soon the bare branches will bud and green, crowding the sunsets over the lake. But tonight, in the cool and quiet, I keep watch. I think of other sunsets, in other places. Of ribbons of colors over … Continue reading Keeping Watch
The Story We Keep Telling
I told the old, old story again this week. The one about how Jesus came to us, and why. The one that tells us we are seen and loved. Pursued and rescued. Swept into both the grandest adventure and an all-or-nothing surrender, thrilling and frightening together. The roomful of women silently considered again that gospel … Continue reading The Story We Keep Telling
“Moon, Moon”
Logan presses his face to the window, searching the darkness. He stands on the couch, pushing the curtain aside, pointing. “Moon, moon,” he says, clapping with joy. On warmer days Logan paces beside the backyard fence, always gazing up, watching birds and clouds and airplanes, and then as night falls he points out the window, … Continue reading “Moon, Moon”
The Picture We Hold
It's been eight years now since we've taken a picture of the whole family. Eight years since one daughter walked away from our family circle, taking our grandchildren with her. The rest of us still gather every year, and at the end of our time together we take a group picture. But now, our pictures … Continue reading The Picture We Hold
An Ordinary, Everyday Life
“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
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 View of the Lake 