Big Sins, Little Sins

I cradled the little rubbery model of a 12 week old fetus in my hand. “You were only this big when your mother was three months pregnant,” I said to the little girl I was talking to. Her eyes grew wide. “I was so little!” she said. We talked about how God made her, plannedContinue reading “Big Sins, Little Sins”

Ladies and Gentlemen

Listen HERE Since my family is studying Medieval History this year, our car trips have been full of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Men of Iron, and Ivanhoe. Chivalry is not dead in these stories! Perhaps the courtesy and manners in these stories only ever lived in myth, but I still raise my daughtersContinue reading “Ladies and Gentlemen”

Autumnal Hope

Listen HERE “The seasons are a sort of disease all young poets have, it seems,” the teacher says to Emily in L.M. Montgomery’s “Emily of New Moon.” This makes two weeks in a row that I am referencing nature, but it is hard not to during such a beautiful Fall. Why did the Lord makeContinue reading “Autumnal Hope”

How to Vote

Listen HERE I’ve been contemplating who to vote for. I’ve been praying about it. I’ve been reading (a little) about it. I’m kind of sick of hearing about it. Two elections ago, I wrote in a name. Last election, I almost didn’t vote, but then, I remembered my grandfather’s Purple Heart and voted how IContinue reading “How to Vote”

For Dust You Are

Listen HERE “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” I’m sitting here at my writing desk, looking at the shelf I dusted yesterday. I had really let it accumulate, and all my knick-knacks are looking brand new without their layered coats of gray dust. Dust is insignificant unless it settles onContinue reading “For Dust You Are”

Beautiful Little Fingers

Listen HERE Summer is the season of sidewalk chalk. Both at home and at church, I have crates of sidewalk chalk to keep little fingers busy and to share the Good News through color. Yellow. God is holy, and He made everything.  Black. We sinned and disobeyed God, separating ourselves from him forever.  Red. HeContinue reading “Beautiful Little Fingers”

What’s a Buckler?

Listen HERE “And under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” I’ve read it many times. I’ve quoted it many times. However, this week, I read it, looked up, and wondered, “What is a buckler?” Do you know? After googling it, I went around asking my kids. My teenageContinue reading “What’s a Buckler?”

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”

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”