Tag Archives: Hope

Reaching Out

Sitting beside the deathbed, I noticed that the last efforts of the woman were to reach out her hand.  Was she reaching for water? prayer beads? a photograph?  Her reach was unwearying. I took her hand. She squeezed mine and then was able to rest. It reminded me of my children when they were small.Continue reading “Reaching Out”

Here Hovering

It’s 3:30am on Sunday, and I am awake. The phone has buzzed several times, and I know it is darkness calling. Saturday night is attack time for the enemy. The Father of lies saves his best ones for Saturday nights to try to pollute the chance of Sunday morning resurrection. Sickness, sin, death, and theContinue reading “Here Hovering”

Because He Trusted

I went to the cemetery alone because I thought it would be a difficult visit. I pulled up, noticing the live oaks contrasting with the dead tombstones. The trees’ branches were covered in green ferns that gave them a live, jungly look. I found the grave and stood looking down at the only earthly remainsContinue reading “Because He Trusted”

Though Worms

I made two full serving pans of worms and dirt for our church Christmas celebration. If you’ve never had worms and dirt, it is chocolate pudding with oreos crumbled throughout, topped with gummy worms. The pans weighed about twenty pounds each. It was a lot of pudding, but it all got eaten. We had overContinue reading “Though Worms”

Marching Orders

I knew the dictionary definition of prostitution. I just wasn’t prepared for the delusion that came with it. “And then, I bought him for the drugs he could give my friend,” she said. I had questions: “Bought him? With money?” Giggles. “No.” I said gently, “It sounds like he bought you.” “Oh no. I definitelyContinue reading “Marching Orders”

Too Much Jesus

At what point do you become a fanatic? In the nineties, D.C. Talk sang about Jesus Freaks. In the 2000’s, medical missionary Kent Brantly contracted ebola while sharing the Gospel with patients in Liberia. Just this year, an entire North Korean family, including their two year old, was imprisoned for owning a Bible. These seemContinue reading “Too Much Jesus”

Daily

When I go out each morning to start my day and feed my animals, I often view it as just routine. However, my cats, dogs, and chickens view it as the time during the day when they will receive the sustenance they need to go about their daily routines.  The cats wait for me inContinue reading “Daily”

The Substance of Hope

The hope of catching a fish keeps the fisherman casting, but it isn’t what he eats for his supper. The substance of hope- the outcome of it- is the tangible result that fills his belly.  This summer, my kids have done a lot of fishing. They have probably hoped more than they’ve caught, but theContinue reading “The Substance of Hope”

Those Who Mourn

All summer at Bible Club, I have been teaching these famous words: “Blessed are those who mourn.” This week, hugging children who have lost their mother, looking into the eyes of those who lost their brother, baking pink and purple cupcakes for the grandmother who lost her grandchild, I have had to think deeply aboutContinue reading “Those Who Mourn”