This post first appeared on my old blog a few years ago. It’s message resonated with me today, so I wanted to share it with you again. We planted it back at the beginning of summer. Along with the strawberries that never quite made it, and the sweet pea that bloomed in beauty. It was the first of the three …
When You’re Missing Out on the Blessing
The air hung thick and hot as the sun beat down on my face. The usually dry heat so familiar to this place had given way to a muggy and heavy blanket tucked over the city. On the horizon, circling all around our neighborhood, clouds towered high. Thunderheads rose tall and powerful, teasing with the promise of the sweet relief …
Are You Building Your Own Soil?
Have you ever heard of the Aran Islands? They are a set of three small islands off the west coast of Ireland, famous for their rich wool sweaters and being a heart of Irish cultural preservation. When we lived in Ireland, we could see these islands from our living room window—when it wasn’t raining, anyway. Folk used to say, “If …
Why I’m Doing the Job I Didn’t Want to Do
I recently accepted a job. This job was an answer to prayer in so many ways—and it’s a job I said I’d never do again. Before we ever went overseas, I taught first grade for a year. That was one tough year. First year teacher, mid-year created class, and a group of students who hadn’t been told why they had …
When You’re Not Who You Thought You Were
I slowly sipped the steaming coffee, letting it soothe me with it’s warmth. As I cupped the mug in my hands, my eyes lingered on the faded Scottish flag painted upon it. We had bought it while in Scotland on a work trip back years ago. Back then there was no mistaking the stark white X slicing through the vibrant blue …
The Dirty Bowl in the Cupboard: Lessons from the Kitchen Cabinet
I shuffled into the kitchen to fulfill my daughter’s request for cereal. I had been up for awhile, but its safe to say I wasn’t fully awake yet. I grabbed the plastic pink bowl and set it on the counter. I saw two crusted bits of food on the edge. Meh, I can scrape that off, no bother, I thought …
Room For A View
This week the prompt for Five Minute Friday with LisaJo is VIEW: START We stood at the precipice of the canyon – pillars and wiggles of red rock as far as the eye could see. It was stunning. Breathtaking. From the bottom looking up it was a hot mess…dirt and dust; rock and debris. Rough tough, blood sweat and tears …
More Than The Hem
A large group of people followed. They crowded around him. 25 A woman was there who had a sickness that made her bleed. It had lasted for 12 years. 26 She had suffered a great deal, even though she had gone to many doctors. She had spent all the money she had. But she was getting worse, not better. 27 Then she heard …
In Which a Baby Bottle Makes Me Ponder Life
The Man Cub will be 17 months old next week. 17 months!! I am definitely finding that time flies even faster with each child we have! I have no idea how he got to be this age already, but I do know I’m far less preoccupied with certain developmental things than I was with the girls. By this age, both …