Sometimes love is in bedtime prayers. When you're plumb worn out at the end of the day, but you go ahead and cuddle next to your boy anyway and stumble out some prayers. Then you let him have a turn and you watch him fold his hands and rest them on his forehead and ask God for tractors and help to grow up and be strong so he can march in a hip-parade and blow a trumpet.Sometimes love is when your husband pitches a tent in the backyard. And he's up for adventure and asks you to spend the night with him under stars but you've become this sissy britches in your old age and you like the feel of your cool sheets and you're not getting up to go out there and be awake all night. And the two of you get in an argument the next day over whether or not you disappointed him and you both spill your gut[...]

Some day, you might have this uncanny urge to make a bird nest. But, before you get the urge to make a bird nest, you might get an urge to make some playdough. So, you do. You make some playdough. And it's messy, but it's fun. Then...then you get an urge to make a bird nest. Because when you're three, there's only so many things you can actually make out of playdough. I mean, you can make a snake. But snake-making is fun for like the first two minutes, then you want to go on to bigger and better things. So, a bird nest it is. And since your mother wants to make sure you're an avid nature-lover, and since she'd seen this great idea on Pinterest, you decide that a playdough bird nest isn't quiet real-looking enough. You need some sticks and twigs. So, you load up in your wagon and head for t[...]

Tomorrow I do something that I've never really done before. I speak in front of a group of women. I was told there would be like 80 people there. And it's a brunch so there will be delectable delightful food, I'm sure, and everyone will be eating and chatting and then at some point they'll all be staring. At me. And they'll expect me to say some funny things. And some profound things. Something moving. Something touching. And quite honestly, I'm scared. Like, the kind of scared that makes you feel like laughing yourself dizzy because it's so absurd. (Gulp.)Photo creditSo, I've been talking to God a lot about it. Been saying things like, "Uh...Lord HELP!" and "What was I thinking?" And "Please somehow help me make sense and help me not care too much that everyone is staring and just help me[...]

I wish you could hear the birds outside my window just now. It's early, early morning and they're going crazy out there. God must have put something in them that feels this need to herald in the morning. It sounds like this loud, jubilant procession. It's like they're shouting, "Here comes the sun! Here comes the day! It's heeeeeere! It's heeeeeere!" Birds are very excited about new days apparently. I like that about them.Speaking of new days, I'm embarking on a new day myself and a new year of life. Just celebrated a birthday. In the words of Elvis, "Thank you, thank you, thank you very much." But seriously, I'm thankful for all the people that celebrated loud like the birds, heralding in all the new with me.It's really exciting to embark on a new year. I recently read about this guy who [...]

Tonight it feels kinda magical outside. I really should be out there. I used to go out more when I was younger. I'd walk around in the yard in the evening and listen to the birds and watch the clouds skid by and talk to God. Then I had a couple little kids. Now, I just step out for a few minutes, and think something like, "Wow, I really should stay out here," then I go back in and lay on the bed and check Facebook. Shame-y, shame-y. What's become of me? I should go out more. But, I'm so tired. Tomorrow I turn 32. I love birthdays. Because people do nice things on your birthday. They say nice things and they sing this funny song and they all stare at you while they're singing this funny song and you feel kinda awkward but somehow you still like it. You wanna know something embarrassing that[...]

 I don't know how long I have to live this life. And I don't know what's just a little bit ahead. You know, right around the bend. There's a lot I can't see. But, I do know that what I have been given, this string of days up till now, has been beautiful. So beautiful. Of course, it's been messy. That, too. And I've had a fair amount of hard days. I've felt pain, an awful lot of it and I've been disappointed and there have been the confusing moments. And some dark ones. But still, even looking back into the face of it all, still, it's been beautiful.  And though I spend my days thinking a lot about life, only to find that the more I learn, the less I know, and though I have a lot of doubts and misgivings, there are some things I just know deep down.Like, I know it's good to be th[...]

Let us swing.We could shut off the blinky screen. Leave the dishes in the sink. Let the laundry lie.  We could lean waaaaay back, you and I.Let the sunshine kiss our cheeks. We could be the craziest geeks.Just let us swing.It's okay if we don't have it all figured out, this life.   We could shake off the stressin' and roll off the strife.Tell those anxious cares to go away.Cause our Maker's provided for us today. Let us swing! Let us laugh and squeal and dreamand not worry 'bout how it seems or if the neighbors are lookin' out. Life's just too brief to pout.So, let us swing.We could yell and we can shoutLet all our noisies out.We could gulp up all the sunAnd burp it out, it'd be so fun.Just let us swing.Wiggle toes and dangle feet, Happy wave at peop[...]

I read in morning light these ancient words. That because I have believed in Him, believed in His Name, that He gave me the right to become a child of God. And that I'm born, born of Him eternal. (John 1:12-13)I do feel new again.Then, I remember more of those old words, that I am in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:30) And today I have a new picture of what that means. Because I feel the ache. Like never before I feel it, wanting to be wrapped up in the womb of God. You know, spiritually speaking. Completely covered in His amniotic love. To swim around in it. To be nurtured by it. Wholly sustained. And isn't a womb a safe place? Or shouldn't it be? But, I had heard that safety in this world is not a place, but a Person. Surely the womb of God is the safest. Him protecting from everything wicked a[...]

Some days I feel kinda fragile inside. My emotions don't obey me and they do such strange things and I feel scattered and scared. There's these times when I really want to be strong and unwavering, but I just feel so weak. Like, I need an anchor or something solid for my soul. I need a refuge. Somewhere to run and rest a while.And I feel hungry. And I don't mean the physical kind of hunger, but the deep inside kind. I need some soul nourishment, something substantial, something my spirit can chew on that'll make me strong again.I read that I was made this way. All of us made with that ache. That need for filling. A Someone who is kind enough to care and strong enough to save. A Refuge. A Rock. A Nourisher of soul-hunger.So, when I'm scared I run. Fragile-hearted, I flee. Right for the Re[...]