Yes, I’m one of those. Although I’ve never thumped a book at anyone or really considered myself a freak (except during my punk stage in high school) I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior. Have I always been this way? Sort of. I was raised Roman Catholic, but after the fallout of my brother’s suicide, I just couldn’t return to that particular denomination. I spent years wandering in the dark, until I opened up my heart to Christ again. (Read my testimony here.) I still admire many qualities of the church, and enjoy wonderful relationships with friends and family who are Catholic. They understand, and I love them for it. Now, I belong to the United Methodist Church, and have found a warm, loving church family. It’s a small congregation, and it feels like home. From time to time, I share what’s on my heart and mind about this marvelous thing called “Faith.” Such a small word for such a complex topic.
What Would Jesus Do? Bop You in the Eye.
Oh, friends. What a difficult time we’re living in. So much disagreement. So much tension. And admittedly, I’m adding to that tension. I am not sorry. I recently told my sister about a snarky reply I gave a former college professor who had a political disagreement with me online. On the surface, it was… Continue Reading
Letting the Imago Go
The night air was surprisingly refreshing when I stepped barefoot onto my cold concrete porch. The light from the living room streamed through the closed storm door behind me, but I was drawn to a light beyond the overhang. Above. The moon. Brilliant and white, it pierced through the inky black sky. It was cool… Continue Reading
To Be Standing Beneath the Cranes
Three weeks ago today, I was sitting comfortably in my bed, deeply engrossed in a James Lee Burke novel. A bit unusual since I’d lost my normally voracious appetite for reading. My father had loaned me the book, one that I was initially eager to enjoy as we’d read nearly every one of his novels together. But for… Continue Reading
Grieving Like a Native
More than once this past week, I’ve run into people I either didn’t know, or didn’t know well, who told me they follow my blog. With my recent posts about losing our baby and the aftermath, I’ve drawn quite a bit of attention. And overall, I think it’s a great thing. Why? Because it’s helped… Continue Reading
Body, Heart, Spirit: I’m a Bleeder
When. She used the word when, not if. “When you deliver your third child, we’ll need to be prepared for a possible transfusion. You lost a lot of blood with that surgery, and we need to be ready if that’s going to be an ongoing issue.” My mind stuck on the “when,” rather than on… Continue Reading
The Beat Goes On, Even When We Don’t
Brown Eyed Girl pulsed from the band shell while my two little blue and green eyed girls spun around the dance floor with their daddy. As darkness descended on my hometown, swirling, patterned lights bounced off the towering trees above the concrete slab in front of the stage. I sat on a bench, just 10… Continue Reading
You Won’t Regret This
He put the van in reverse, and I watched my little family begin to back out of the driveway. My girls waved vigorously from their car seats, giddy with joy that daddy was taking them to the carnival. I stepped out onto the porch, and motioned for my husband to stop. He rolled down the… Continue Reading
The Sorrow is Silent
When it comes to preparing us for the moment of tragedy’s impact, the movies really do us a disservice. Foreshadowing, strategic camera angles and carefully orchestrated suspenseful music lead you to a logical conclusion. Something bad is about to happen. But it doesn’t happen that way in real life. In real life, the room is… Continue Reading
Finding Gratitude when Crushed Beneath the Weight of Worry
Today, my spirits are low. My energy is low. My ability to rub to coherent thoughts together and make a spark is low. This is a problem for me, this inability to stand my ground beneath the weight of worry. The worst case scenario is the only one I can imagine, and the alternatives seem… Continue Reading
Prayer of the Impatient Mother
While my children are whining, The devil is dining, On the sin of my impatience. He licks his lips for just a taste Of anger and frustration. “Throw that book, raise your voice, Yell a little louder! Turn your wrath Into a rage, make me so much prouder!” Lord, help me to rise above These… Continue Reading