The late Yogi Berra, famed manager of the New York Yankees and master of nonsensical one-liners, is reported to have said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” This is both ridiculous and profound, particularly as it pertains to life at the half-way point. One of the ways not to…
On February 20, 1883, the New York Times ran a quirky, little page 3 story about a Mrs. Mary McMullen, residing at 2nd Avenue and 34th Street, who complained to the Board of Health about “an intolerable stench” in her neighborhood. Having grown up on a farm, I know a thing or two about intolerable…
Darkness, and then eyes open Inhale deep Eyes close, exhale Inspiration – a curious thing – Prolonging life; Creating space and time for what will happen Before, between, and after each breath. Wondrous imagination, Before the day even begins Breathe in – Breathe out Seeing the dew drops on the grass The dusky purples and…
Part of the delight of spending time with my oldest grandson is that he takes nothing for granted. Nothing. “Bam, why bubble pop?” “Because you stood on it.” “Why?” Well, good question. Why indeed, and our conversations have routinely run on in this vein of relentless curiosity. Now that he’s old enough to have moved…
Dear Reader, It was just three years ago that I started writing for a Christian meditation app called Abide. I hadn’t really thought about meditation too much prior to that. I didn’t have anything against it. I know that the Bible talks a lot about meditating on God’s Word and how important that is. But…
Today I stand at the counter Chopping an onion with my favorite knife An ordinary act hardly worth noting But today I note it I chop onion Add butter Pour wine And ease slowly into the luxury of stirring a meal For the people I love Savoring not the aroma of melding onions and wine…
There are few times in our lives when we can look back and declare, “At that moment, right there, I was broken, and it changed everything.” I remember such a moment, one that sent me on a journey I continue to navigate seventeen years later, one filled with death and sorrow, pain and loss, joy…
Whole is my word for this year, a picture of completeness, a world and body unbroken, fullness, goodness, health, and peace. I had no idea it would be put to the test before I was even ready for it. My husband Eric and I were knocked down for six weeks in late fall by COVID,…
“For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” Ecclesiastes 5:20 ESV I am a Gen Xer. Our generation was specifically encouraged in our late teens and early twenties to be radical Christians; Jesus freaks if you will. I went to a Christian…
Standing in front of the little coffee cart, waiting for the first customers of the day, I start the morning recalibrating the professional grinder. When the weather is cold, the beans need a little more motivation to release their oils, and so a smaller grind. When it is warm, the beans expand and let go…
My return to the mental ward from the Hungarian ICU gave me hope that I had endured the ugliest part of this trial. Yet, sleep still eluded me. When I closed my eyes, visions returned of angels and demons and wars in the celestial realms. My mind had not yet fully returned to me, and…
My running shoes left footprints in the damp earth as I headed up the trail. I sucked in the delicious mountain air – a rich blend of wild herbs, flowers, fresh grass, and trees. Easy conversation and laughter spilled out as my friends and I traversed over moss-covered rocks and exposed tree roots. Angled sunlight…
Settling in the straw, I am grateful for a quiet moment after a 12-hour workday followed by all the necessary personal conversations that help mop up the spills and splatters of everyday life. My family verbally unloads their day like so much stored up dirty laundry needing to be washed and rinsed with the spin…
COVID-19 has initiated the celebration of some very unique milestones. For me, the most memorable was the day I sat between two of my grandchildren and read them a story for the first time since we began sheltering at home. We celebrated the relaxation of strict quarantine here in rural Maine with our little group of…