Category Archives: Be

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 So often we look for life outside of God. We seek it in possessions. We seek it in accolades, in success, in career advancement. We may even seekContinue reading “Find Eternal Pleasures this Advent”

On June 22, a few years back, I witnessed something rather peculiar. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget—one that I will look back on as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. I was at my local wine shop for a complementary tasting. As usual, I arrived just after it began, wanting to cozy up atContinue reading “Grace and a $168 Bottle of Wine”

While on a walk, my husband and I stopped to take a look at the view of the mountains we could catch between the trees and buildings nearby. On that particular day, the weather, the season, the lighting . . . all these details made that familiar view unique. We decided, in that moment, thatContinue reading “Being A People Who Pause”

Comparison far too frequently steals our joy. It’s difficult to avoid, as we compare in all areas of life: with our careers, our belongings, our opportunities (or lack thereof), perhaps even our relationships. Even just one of these areas, or another, can be a bear to reckon with on a daily basis. And when weContinue reading “Embracing the Familiar”

I believe poets are instruments on which the power of poetry plays. But they are also makers, craftsmen: It is given to the seer to see, but it is then his responsibility to communicate what he sees, that they who cannot see may see, since we are “members one of another.” Denise Levertov It became brandedContinue reading “A Study in Lichen”

I was hoping to have something rather inspiring or encouraging to say at the start of this new year. That’s what everyone wants and expects, isn’t it? New year. Fresh start. A time for resolutions, starting again, revisiting and assessing hopes and dreams, perhaps. But I find myself weighed down by comparison and envy. Ick.Continue reading “Choosing to Rejoice”

It seems that every year I intend to “do Advent better,” and year after year I fail. What I mean is that I typically end up feeling like I haven’t engaged the season intentionally enough. Each year I an excited to live into Advent well, and then look into the rearview mirror wondering what happened.Continue reading “The Posture of Advent”

Not long ago, I discovered that “teatime” is one word. Why had I not known this? I mean, I had said the words “tea” and “time” together countless times before, but I would have written it as “tea time.” I had even been practicing this lovely rhythm without having the proper linguistic understanding. There isContinue reading “Teatime”

I find it odd that at times I can be incredibly grateful for something that another person has written, said, created, or done. Other times, however, I find myself envious that I didn’t think of that thing first—that I wasn’t the one chosen or ordained to make that particular contribution. And I can vacillate fromContinue reading “Envy? Or Gratitude?”

Having come back from a short trip back to the midwest to a near freeze, it dawned on me that our bed was still clad in its airy spring and summer garb. Don’t get me wrong, the down comforter is there year-round. I always like to have some weight on me when I’m sleeping. ButContinue reading “Flannel Sheets + Shifting with the Seasons”