It's the little things. You start to notice the little things. In light of my dad's slow decline, time is both running out and being redeemed. Life is both fading and being renewed. This loss, gradual and subtle, is undeniably painful, but in the midst of the crumble, time expands and hope rushes in, again … Continue reading The Little Things
Do It Again
"Your turn!" We were on round 5, 6, 7 - I had lost count, but he was insistent that we continue our hula hoop tournament. This was no spectator sport. Forced from my couch seat, I picked up the sparkled circle, fitted perfectly for a 5-year old's waist, and whipped it around my arm several … Continue reading Do It Again
Even in the Dark
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash The headlights behind me, the streetlights above me - both soon fade away as I bike onto the path. The path that follows the railroad tracks. The path that will lead me home. The heat holds in my boots keeping my feet warm enough. I’m not far from home, … Continue reading Even in the Dark
Places of Unexpected Holiness
This past fall, I visited my alma mater, Moody Bible Institute. In the few minutes I had to greet and catch up with one of my professors, he asked what I had been up to since graduating in May. A pretty straightforward question, but words never seem to fully express how I want to answer … Continue reading Places of Unexpected Holiness
Advent Journal
Hope. Love. Joy. Peace. We hear these 4 words throughout the year. They come up in our conversations. They're expressed in prayer. They're spoken in tones of expectation and eagerness. They bring comfort and encouragement. Hope - Love - Joy - Peace. Other times these same words remain a mocking echo within the walls of our … Continue reading Advent Journal
Thankful Living
On a hill with a crowd exceeding 5,000. Around the table with 12 disciples. Giving thanks. For the 5 loaves and 2 fish. For provision and abundance. For the bread and the cup. For the broken body and the blood to be poured out. His body, His blood. In Matthew 26, we come to the close of Christ's … Continue reading Thankful Living
Not There Yet
The melodic tones of my phone alarm begin, and I am instantly awake. 4:30 in the morning. The comfort of my bed and thick darkness outside invite me to rest a little longer. Tempting invitations indeed, but, ironically, I am glad for the lingering darkness. I still have time. I shuffle around in the dim light … Continue reading Not There Yet
Caught Up in Communion
Whether they are laden in pure white snow or colored with brilliant red, orange, yellow leaves, trees have always captured my gaze and attention. No doubt my father's passion for trees and his vocation in the tree care industry have fueled my own love for the towering beauties. Like him, my eyes are often lifted … Continue reading Caught Up in Communion
Today & Forever
In Exodus 3, we find Moses tending his flocks near Mt. Horeb. The once prince of Egypt now wilderness shepherd approaches the mountain of God and encounters a divine anomaly, a bush that burns but is not consumed by the fire. It is on this holy ground that the Living God is present and speaks … Continue reading Today & Forever
Awaiting Newness
Newness is a "now and not yet" reality of our lives in Christ. We long for Him to bring to completion the newness He has begun. in our lives. in our homes. in our world. in our cosmos. We rejoice in the newness that is apparent and wondrous. But we also lament over the spaces … Continue reading Awaiting Newness
Sweet Dependence 