Do We DARE Ask God for ANYTHING?
Why do we have to go away—go into the wilderness—go where we are completely unplugged—to hear God? We don’t. But sometimes, I do. Maybe it’s because God whispers? Maybe it’s because God would rather not shout? Maybe it’s because I let myself get too busy—let my mind get so cluttered—let my life get so full […]
Can God Be Trusted In The Dark?
When rain clouds obscure reality, keep looking forward in faith. And pray to be thrilled by the One who holds the rain—and you, even in the deluge. Two years ago, we were here in Denali National Park, Alaska, a vast wilderness of six million acres. Temperatures were warm, skies were clear and we learned […]
True Love Wins Over the Rainbow
I ripped the lettuces. Shredded them in my bare hands and dropped them into the empty bowl. Then I dressed their nakedness with virgin olive oil and fruit-infused vinegar. Sweet and bitter whisked together . . . Then I began the layering of tomatoes diced, radishes sliced, white cheddar cubed, parmesan grated, olives pitted. Oh, […]
Beautiful Beyond Description
Here’s the thing . . . You are about to witness the juxtaposition of evil and beautiful. I have done this on purpose—to press a point. There is gross darkness in this world. Orange jumpsuits filled with men, caged like animals but handcuffed like no animal. Submerged slowly. Methodically. Into a drowning pool. With underwater […]
In Other Words
The words of another, this weekend, for your gentle meditation. The words of Father Jacques Philippe from Searching for and Maintaining Peace . . . The habitual determination to always say “yes” to God, in the great things as in the small, is a sine qua non for interior peace. As long as we have […]
How Not to Covet Others’ Blooms (and How to Be Grateful for Where You’re Planted)
Why is it that EVERY year I go through the SAME cycle? My faulty memory is as predictable as my perennials popping through the earth’s crust every spring. Forgetting the warm will finally arrive and plants will once again rise, I wait impatiently, looking every day for life signs. The first of May, I still […]
Rest for Our Souls
Another rainy day here on the farm. Ah, Wisconsin! How variable is your weather! Yet, I will give thanks because this is God’s day. I will consider the good, the lovely, no matter the condition of the weather or the condition of a soul. I will give thanks and do what I can to make less-than-pleasing […]
Why We Need Not Worry About Anything: A Short Devotion
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens, From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise Because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:1-2 You call me to walk with you this day. And […]
Vision in the Mist
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone, I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) Sun-Shiny day. I think I can make it now, the pain is gone All of the bad feelings have disappeared Here […]
Broken and Burned
We go on the hunt today. Through field still cold and unturned, we hold our destination in sight, a ramshackle barn and a crumpled man’s home. The ruins. The broken. The history. The textures of a life long-lived. That’s what we’re after. We don’t want prettified. We want real and we want to see the deep […]
Prickly Pear
Even prickly pears bloom. My mother passed away in the dark of the night, just a few hours after Mother’s Day ended. Thirteen years ago, this year. I talked to her early on Mother’s Day. She was so excited about the bouquet of red carnations I ordered and sent the day before. I had told […]
Hold Hope
I ponder all the daffodil bulbs I know are eight inches under the earth. Three weeks ago there was no evidence. In the dark and deep, my daffodils remained invisible since September. So how did I know they were there? I planted them. The live bulbs were just resting, just waiting till the sun called them up and out. […]