Her bitter words poured out like acid, burning, accusatory. She told me about the rage that made her miserable for 20 years! Knowing the story, I could empathize because the time of which she spoke was one of awful disappointment… Continue reading

What do you do that makes you feel like less of person, that destroys moments that should be best, that sabotages too many good intentions?  My temper has caused too many regrets. Anger has hurt people I care about deeply.… Continue reading

What is declared a ‘season of wonder’ can be a time of stress, exhaustion, and over-commitment.  There are some choices we can make that will turn ‘bah, humbug,’ into ‘joy to the world!’  Are you one of those people who… Continue reading

Around a table last night I saw sad eyes in a meeting that was a long, hard discussion about the work of our church. We are being forced to ask hard questions. “What stays, what goes? How do we best… Continue reading

Every year, right around this time, I carve out some prayerful time to redefine why I am taking up space on the planet.  If that sounds grandiose, hang with me, please.  My prayer goes like this – “Abba, what is… Continue reading

“Do you know everybody in this town?” a boy asked me one day when we were out and about together.  I had exchanged greetings with friends in the diner, talked with people in the stores, waved at a couple of… Continue reading

Christmas, for me, is a time when I am pulled to the past, more and more these days. Digging out the holiday décor in the attic, I found a box full of family picture albums. I pulled one out and… Continue reading

“Why did he do that?” The critical spirit rose in me. Later that same day I found myself wrestling with less than affirming thoughts about another over a trivial thing. Irritation showed up when the car in front of me… Continue reading

The rain was chill, the night dark as I drove home last night from a visit in the hospital. Fatigue made me long for the living room and relaxation until  . . .  I started to note the homes lit… Continue reading

Joy. The decorations are up, the songs of the seasons are playing. Parties are planned.  Beautiful worship gatherings will be offered in churches around the world. Gifts will be given. Will you find joy? Yesterday I put up the Christmas… Continue reading