Sometimes the Lord closes the door on something - a good thing, perhaps a beautiful thing, maybe a thing we loved very much or held very dear - and He opens the door to another something . . . something far more than we could have conjured up and surprisingly more than we could have … Continue reading learning to live linearly, learning to trust
seasons of surrender
barrenness brings clarity
The time "springs forward", the Sunday of spring break for our school kids, and one of our children has the job of feeding some neighbor friends' dogs. We live close enough for this child to walk to their house, but since we are all slower to get out of bed this particular morning, I drive … Continue reading barrenness brings clarity
the God of impossible things
You are the God of impossible things. In a desert dry, devoid of streams, You cause water to flow, and rocks burst forth springs. Among thorns, twisted vines that choke and deceive, You transform with Truth to ivy vines green. The handful of sour scuppernongs handed to me, You recreate to sun-warmed and ripened blueberries. … Continue reading the God of impossible things
be healed, right where you are
"Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 'Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show … Continue reading be healed, right where you are
sinking to rescue
When life takes a turn, when life as you know it HALTS - leaving your head spinning, your heart swirling, your soul sinking . . . God is there, holding you. Seeing you, steadying you, saving you. He is closer than your heartbeat, working a marvelous miracle. You begin to see, too. What started you … Continue reading sinking to rescue
an invitation
On this last day of the year, before the calendar page turns, I receive an invitation from God : To be still. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10, NKJV). To stop striving. "Stop striving and know that … Continue reading an invitation
permission
You have given me permission to not worry about anything (Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6), but instead to seek first Your Kingdom, and You will take care of "all these things" (Matthew 6:33). You have told me the first and most important commandment : to love You with all that I am and to love my … Continue reading permission
sing
The low-grade ache in the pit of the stomach of feeling peripheral would never go away . . . but neither would He. God would never leave me, and He would use the soft hum of the subtle pain to cause me to run to Him . . . to hide in Him, to nestle … Continue reading sing
through the valley, to the table
The trees outside the kitchen window stand tall and bare, almost in quiet reverence. Their empty branches give evidence of seasons, and they testify to the reality of death. For all of us, so much has died this past year - previous patterns of life, plans . . . people. But for the believer, death … Continue reading through the valley, to the table
it’s all true
We had just returned from living overseas. We were staying with my parents and waiting until I gave birth to our fifth child before officially making our next move. I would walk their neighborhood often - with a baby in the stroller and a baby in my belly - and I would sometimes see a … Continue reading it’s all true
an open journal 