It’s that time of year when we check our lists against our available funds to determine who gets what. But what about the gift you cannot buy? The gift that is a sacrifice and not an item on your to-do list. As we count down […]
Tag: Advent
Did They Know?
A Canaanite, a prostitute, a Moabite, and a wronged wife. These four women, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, are listed in Matthew’s account of the lineage of Christ. This week I’ve been contemplating the advent story, and I wonder what did they know about their […]
React or respond?
I confess that I often react when I should respond. Especially when I feel someone is being critical. But this morning, as I was about to lift a heavy weight, a woman said, “Don’t think about it; just do it.” I wanted to explain the […]
Unexpected Favor
Elizabeth. I underline her name nine times in 7 different verses. In this second week of Advent, my attention turns to Elizabeth. Her story is tucked neatly inside the experiences of her husband, Zechariah, and her relative, Mary. Elizabeth’s testimony speaks of unexpected favor and […]
Fasting for Advent
Advent is a sacred holiday season, and this first week of Advent is about Hope. As a personal trainer, I hear about Hope as my clients express their goals. The women I work with face various challenges while seeking to improve their overall well-being. This […]
Four Days and Three Nights
We made reservations and paid in advance for our stay. We eagerly counted down the days until the appointed check-in time. Upon our arrival, we receive a warm welcome. Four days and three nights, carved out for our 40th anniversary get-away. Standing on the seashore […]
Are Those Your Real Arms?
What is the most unusual question you’ve heard? I have to admit, “Are those your real arms?” still has me scratching my head. After all, I’m confident he knew my arms were real, so perhaps there was another reason for his question. This encounter led […]
Are You Christmas?
Have you ever left a retreat eager to share nuggets of wisdom with the world? Could you do it in another language? On the train to Moscow, my husband helped three older ladies with their mattresses. The boldest of the three said, “Zhank you, Sir!” […]
Make Time for Joy
One of my earliest memories is of sitting on a freshly shoveled mountain of snow eating a Nestle’s chocolate bar. My father and two older brothers did the work while I played in the snow, followed by the reward of chocolate afterward. What’s your earliest […]
Protect Your Peace
“Protect your peace!” That thought keeps reverberating in my head. I wonder if that’s even a thing in 2020? And yet, the voice is clear. So, I get out of bed, put on workout clothes, lace up my shoes, and go for a walk. I […]