Grief – Finding the Life

Mary’s Magnificat

Seven years after the loss of a 25 year marriage, reflections on not feeling like celebrating Christmas, and holding onto faith in the midst. How this can help us understand Mary’s Magnificat in a new way

A prayer for heavy hearts this week

I don’t watch the news much, so I wasn’t aware of the recent events until Thursday: The shooting of a political activist in Utah, the stabbing of a Ukranian refugee on a train in Charlotte, and the school shooting just an hour away from where I live. Needless to say, I’ve been catching up and… Continue reading A prayer for heavy hearts this week

The question of Abraham

I was reading in Genesis 14 not too long ago – a story of early tribal warfare, if you will – where a bunch of kings teamed up together, fought and plundered some other kings, and essentially took Lot and all his household and animals with them. Abram did what would have been expected of… Continue reading The question of Abraham

Just a pawn on a chess board

I’ve been reading through the books of Samuel again lately, and one character in a particular story stuck out to me today. It’s Michal, daugher of Saul. Specifically how the story says she sees David, her husband, dancing as he is bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem – and essenially calls him… Continue reading Just a pawn on a chess board

When you don’t have words

I am one of those people who find it hard to have the right words in any given moment. Whether is knowing how to come back with a funny response to a joke, a snarky reply to a passive aggressive jab, or the right response when something unfathomable happens… I just go silent… and I… Continue reading When you don’t have words

The dance of grief and sabbath

I’ve been reading a book that my sister in law got me a few years ago when I went back to visit her and my brother and his family. I had put it in my nightstand, intending to read it, and then life went on. It got packed and moved and unpacked, and I found… Continue reading The dance of grief and sabbath

Ever been in Mary’s shoes?

Last year I read through Kenneth Bailey’s book “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” – and his observations in the opening chapter around the birth story of Jesus, as told by Luke, captured my attention. Bailey set the story in the context of the way homes were built and how the culture of hospitality worked in… Continue reading Ever been in Mary’s shoes?

Lamenting at Christmas?

I have found myself a bit more somber as of lately, and its been hard to know what to chalk it up to. Sure, 2020 has been interesting, to say the least. I think its more like a culmination of things, between the hard things I have watched our nation go through, the new (but… Continue reading Lamenting at Christmas?

Lemonade doesn’t cut it

I have a love/hate relationship with the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I know the intention is good, and I know it’s a way to remind people that there is always a way to take something that might leave a sour taste in your mouth and look at it a different way,… Continue reading Lemonade doesn’t cut it

Fair Warning

When the girls were little, we spent two years in Ohio – two years that seem like a blur from where I stand now, to be honest. We made some friends while we were there, but the one couple we have stayed in touch with and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE their family, we weren’t always… Continue reading Fair Warning