My neighbor stood on his ladder and unclipped Christmas lights from his gutter, while I, in my living room, snugged baby Jesus and His parents in a box to sleep until next year. Slowly colors disappeared, one light, one Christmas ball at a time, and we’re left with what feels like the longest month of …
I gather flotsam into a pile, and hurry to drop them in my bedroom. Back to the kitchen, a stray glass waits for the dishwasher and the floor begs another sweep. The clock taps its fingers, ticking down the minutes until company arrives. The doorbell rings. “Come in, come in. So good to see you. …
On my walk this morning, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Gorgeous pansies, a deep velvety purple suitable for a king’s robe, as well as yellow ones with faces of pure sunshine, and orangey-red ones withered in a heap on the street. Twice I turned to go back, thinking of scooping up the best and planting …
It’s the strangest thing to step out the back door with mowers thrumming in the neighborhood and motorcycles zipping on the interstate a mile away then to spot a dark speck circling overhead. The form is a red-tailed hawk unexpected in this environment, but there he is lazing in curves. His eyesight amazes me. He …
“Chip. Chip. Chip. Chip.” “Teacher, teacher. Teacher, teacher, teacher.” I scanned the tree branches searching for the bird with its unmistakeable calls. Ah, there he is, so easy to spot with bright red plumage. Cardinals make me feel satisfied, because they’re the one bird I can always identify. I call him, Mr. Cardinal, and he …
Are your thoughts disorganized from this unexpected and oddly threatening, yet quiet time? The mockingbird seems scattered in his thoughts. He cannot finish a song. He’s so enthralled with one, he belts it out until another distracts his perky little mind, and he quickly switches with as much enthusiasm as he sang the first. I’m …
I mumble when people ask about how Lent is going. I promoted preparing for Easter, but this year I’m bombing it. How could I have allowed Lent to gather lint? God is teaching me this season but not through my Lenten intention as He has in the past. I wrote about His authority over my …
Spring break has been rocking in our backyard. The music has been gloriously loud, so much chatter that I don’t mind being an observer instead of a participant. Just listen to the audio file above while you read. Robins dominate the crowd in number, but cardinals and other small songbirds chime in above the hubbub. …
Trail Marker 1 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. verse 6 Trail Marker 2 Purify me with hyssop, And I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be Whiter than snow. verse 7 Trail Marker 3 Make me hear joy …
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow A baseball cap wedged between the bed and wall, the piano bench pulled out, an empty refrigerator, and piles of sheets and towels, that’s what’s left after a weekend of storytelling, feasting, beaching, and celebrating. Now what? When our young children ran around the yard playing the imagination game, grandparents …
When Your Home is No Longer Your Children’s Home Read More »