When the angel told Mary, “Consider your relative Elizabeth,” it was more than reassurance. It was an invitation to reflect. There is much to glean from considering Elizabeth’s life. Hers is a life that embodies the kind of faith that produces deep inner calm, the […]
Deliver Us
A little boy raised his hand and waved at me from his comfy reclined position in the double stroller. He greeted me with a very loud “Hi!” and I returned his “Hi” and waved back. His little sister waved and I greeted her too. As […]
Keep us Safe
Temptation is something we all face, whether we admit it or not. For me, it often appears in ordinary moments, when I’m tired, frustrated, or stretched beyond my allotment of grace. I’ve had days where the wrong attitude came too quickly. Days when the patience […]
As We Forgive
I want to be forgiven for all that I’ve done. The words misspoken, the impulsive actions, the lack of compassion when I’m under stress. But if I’m honest, I’m not always ready to forgive others. Yesterday, I started writing this post and then set it […]
Give Us Enough For Now
On Sundays, I meal-prep our main meals for the week. Last week, it was chicken breast, mixed veggies, with rice for me, along with beef patties covered with cheese for my husband’s lunch. Each day, I gratefully reheat my meal. I say gratefully because there […]
Treat Yourself or Delight Yourself?
Have you seen the social media meme “treat yourself”? It challenges us to indulge. Treat yourself through chasing comfort. Always put yourself first. This world tells us to choose self-gratification and personal advancement. If it feels good, it must be good. But Scripture offers a […]
Names Matter
At a powerlifting meet, the coach of my competitor introduced himself and then asked for my name. After I said, “My name is Alida,” he laughed and said, “I’ll probably make up a name for you by the end of the day because I’m terrible […]
I Got You
On my walk the other day, I saw a dad and his daughter riding bikes. The little girl was probably six or seven years old. She was up on the paved trail, pedaling along, laser focused on where she was going. Her dad, though, was […]
Communion, Not Combat
These past few years, I’ve written a lot about my practice of prayer walking. And I’ve been asked if it’s like marching around a wall trying to bring it down. That made me wonder: What if the way we think about prayer has quietly shaped […]
Acting With Wisdom
Recently, while reading a trilogy, I found myself increasingly frustrated with a character named Zelie. From book one through book three, her decisions often felt impulsive, emotionally driven, and, if I’m honest, immature. I yearned for Zelie to start acting with wisdom, to pause, and […]