The other day I found one of my old journals in a box in the garage. So, I took it upstairs and sat on the floor while my kids played and I read through it.  I had written in that journal while I was in college. A time when I thought I was gonna marry a man who I never actually ended up marrying. And when I was scared of Y2K. (Yep, remember that?) And when the cafeteria playing rock music at lunch pretty much wrecked my day. (Yeah, I know. I was a little up tight.) It was interesting and a little entertaining to read the thoughts I used to think and the fears I used to have. In some ways, I was encouraged. Because I could see how I'd overcome certain mindsets that were damaging to me and others. In another way, I was annoyed with myself, because it didn't seem like I'd made all t[...]

This morning, Jesus stood at the door of my heart and knocked quiet. When I opened up to Him, there He was, with a kind and gentle grin and one curious question. He simply asked, How do you want to live today, Maggs? And this is what I said, Jesus, I want to live in proximity to You. I want to tuck these kids of mine under my momma wings and huddle close in this nest with them. I want to keep them safe, since they're still so little, from everything wicked and wild and I'd like to tell them more about You. I want to teach them how to love each other. Would you tuck some love into their hearts? And Jesus, I want to pay attention to my life. To go slow enough to actually see. I don't want to live so fast-paced that all I see is blur. I want to put my ear down to these mome[...]

The writer knows that she’s not gonna live on this earth forever. That one day, these dirt-digging, creek exploring, laundry folding, baby holding, toilet scrubbing days will be over. She feels it now-- how she’s actually only got a little bit of time left here to be helpful to the world and influence others. And the writer knows that her words will last longer than her earthly self. Because words have this ability to stay on the earth long after a person is gone. And she hopes that someday, when she’s standing barefoot somewhere on the warm shores of a certain Kingdom, that her kids and her grandkids will still have a little piece of her left. And they’ll be able to read again and again all the most important things that she would tell them if she could hold them close. The writ[...]

I've been looking back over this year and thinking about my favorite things. I wanted to share them with you, just in case you could use some good ideas for some Christmas presents for your family and friends. (And because when a person has some favorite things, it's just hard not to want to share them with folks.) Let's start with music. The following artists/musicians have greatly impacted my life this last year. Music is so powerful. It helps us get through things, like a pile of dishes and a whole kitchen floor to sweep and mop. It makes hard days not so hard  and road trips with three little people in the back crunching cheeze-its and yelling random obnoxious things, not feel so long.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZpcJzGBpE One of our favorite groups is All Sons[...]

God has been teaching me something lately. And by lately, I mean over the last several years of my life. He’s been teaching me how to be a safe place for people’s hearts. See, God puts us on the earth at the same time as other people, so that we’ll take care of each other. So, that we’ll have some folks to belong to and so that they’ll belong to us. Each one of us—we can be a safe place for another soul to find refuge. But, for some reason, this being a safe place for others, it’s not our default. I think I know why. In the beginning, and I’m talking way back in the Garden-beginning, our Maker had created this perfect space for communion. A beautiful place that was safe and where the first people could walk and talk with Him and live these wildly open lives. Just think of i[...]

There’s this old, old story about a bush that once caught on fire, and burned, a crimson blaze but it didn’t burn up. (Exodus 3) And as the flames crackled and sparked, that bush caught someone’s attention. And so this curious shepherd, who was just minding his own business, taking care of his sheep out in the rocky desert, went over to check out the amazing sight. And when he came close, he heard a voice. God Himself was calling that raggedy old shepherd, right out of that blazing bush! Moses! Moses! God hollered out. And a baffled Moses replied, “Yes? I’m right here!” And then the Maker of that bush, who chose to show up like a blazing fire just kept on talking, “Don’t get too close. Take your shoes off. You’re standing on holy ground.” I have this burning bush and c[...]

Today I walked across the yard and cried. Not because I was sad, but because I was heart-achingly happy. Happy because my yard is full of a thousand leaves that crunched beneath my moccasin feet. Happy because I felt the wind again across my face. Intensely happy because even though Gideon had crushed his finger in the door, he’d ran, fast as those legs of his could carry him across the yard, and I had the incredible privilege of opening my arms up so big and wide and pulling him into my comforting embrace. I was happy because he got to have a Lightening McQueen band-aid and it immediately made him smile again. A few minutes later, he came tromping in, requesting a band-aid for his sister and there he tore out across the yard again, just to tape a little bit of happiness on[...]

I love October warmth. Wearing a sweatshirt and raking leaves in bare feet. I know, it’s ridiculous. But, have you tried it? Just watch your toes. The rake can do a number on your toes if you’re not careful. And I love the way the sun tingles your skin. How when you sit just so, with your face turned up toward all the light, the sunshine starts warming you right there in the middle of your chest and then overtakes the rest of your happily contented self. One could almost doze off to sleep if it weren’t for that cool breeze that nips around the edges of you, reminding you that you’re quite alive. I love those Autumn breezes. My friend tells me that this time of year, the wind seems to whip everything together into winter ready shape. The grass is still a vivid green but the purple[...]

Oh, hi there Kitty! Remember me? I'm back! Yeah, I can tell you feel sad because you were really missing me. I was thinking about maybe I should pet you s'more. But, I remember what happened last time. All I did was tickle your paw and pull three whiskers from your furry cheeks and I nearly lost a finger. And half my face. So, I got this gourd... (Waves gourd) See this? Now, just keep your eyes on this gourd. Gourds are nice. Gourds are not creepy at all. Hold still, it's gonna be so fun, just you wait and see. Easy does it. Slowly, slowly...keep thinking happy thoughts. You know, stuff like, baby chipmunks, peanut butter, tuna from the can, me just holding your tail going for a walk...no wait. No. Forget that last part. Just stick with the happy though[...]