Tag: gratitude

  • A November Walk

    A November Walk

    The great trees groan, their woody trunks contracting in the cold. Looking up, gray cloud cover blankets the sky. The wind tosses a dried, fallen leaf, rustling on the path before my feet. I pause and listen – pure stillness. The flakes of the first snow land tenderly on my face, lifted slightly toward toward…

  • Home as a Holy Space

    Home as a Holy Space

    Recently, with winter approaching, I pitched the idea to Ben to open up the long, unused fireplace in our school room. At some point, many years ago, there was a working fireplace in that room, but it was sealed and stacked with shelves where we’ve kept the kids’ toys and puzzles for the past five…

  • On New Years and Some of the Same

    On New Years and Some of the Same

    It can feel as though not much has changed since the calendar turned, am I right? COVID is still raging in many areas around the world, the US is still highly polarized politically. We know many people who are suffering, and are still in varying levels of government-mandated protocols. Here in South Africa, our church…

  • God’s Kindness Through His Providence (Ruth 2)

    God’s Kindness Through His Providence (Ruth 2)

    Squaring her shoulders to the road at dawn, Ruth set out with determination. Here she was, in a new country, with new people, a new culture. She must provide for her mother-in-law, Naomi, or Mara, meaning bitter, as she’d asked to be called. Ruth glanced to the left, and to the right. She knew she…

  • Grace Enough

    Grace Enough

    Last night, I found a darkened room and threw myself on the couch, and for a moment, thought about all the legitimate things that were difficult at the moment. It was pity party time. Time to wallow in my difficulties and discontent. Time to welcome the tears and relish the misery. That will make me…

  • Enjoy Every Minute

    Enjoy Every Minute

    Enjoy every minute. Three little words. Words that elicit a rushing force of guilt like no others for this mama. In that early morning hour, hour after hour, when my arm is falling asleep because I’ve been laying on that side nursing my babe yet again and my eyes are drooping and the clock indicates…