"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:14, 27) We like to think that the noise of the world crowds out the gentler voice of the Spirit, but really, what is blocking my ears tonight is my own ... read more
State the Obvious
One of my five-year-old's favorite things to do is tell me what I already know: "Mommy is older, but Daddy is bigger." "There are two boys in the family and two girls." If I was sarcastic, I might remark, "Really? I hadn't noticed." But I realize what is really at work here. My little girl is ... read more
How negative emotions can be good for you
I hardly live a day without some sort of frustration (or other negative emotion). It could be a hang nail that sets me off. Or it could be a harsh word from someone I love. Or it could be spilled milk, like yesterday at dinner time when I pulled out the tray of the high chair, not slightly as I ... read more
What are you Waiting for?
What are you waiting for? Some of the things we wait for are certain to pass. We wait for spring to come around again. We wait for our children to be potty trained. These waits are based on life seasons or temporary situations, and although the waiting may stretch us, an end does come. But there ... read more
Monday Gifts: Fellowship Offerings
When Jesus said, "Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest," I think he had in mind the ministry-mom walking in the door after church. It's early to church for me on Sundays, stay for two services, home at (a late) lunch time. One child wants to tell me about Sunday school, the other ... read more
Why is History Important?
History is the result of living bound within time. The experiences which we create and live soon become the past. But rather than being passive, those experiences dynamically shape the future. In that sense, we are the past. The law of cause and effect powerfully ties past to future. On the ... read more
The Work of His Hands
I knew I liked my ears rubbed, but I forgot how soothing it is when someone finger-brushes my hair. My five-year-old daughter is pretending to style my frizzy waves with water from the sprinkler, and I like her standing by me, a sort of reversal with her rising above my sitting form and doing my ... read more