In the last few days, I’ve learned that gratitude and grief can coexist in the same heart. God’s grace is indeed sufficient for both. Grace makes space to cherish the memories of our loved one while missing the warmth of their presence. I’m grateful for […]
Tag: Christmas
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 […]
I Hate Messing Up
We had a mock powerlifting competition at the gym on Saturday. And with my very first lift, perfection slipped away from me. My squat went well, the depth was good, and the weight felt great. But, I didn’t wait for the command to rack […]
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!” […]
My Favorite Gift
On December 23, 2017, at a hospital in Australia, our grandson, Raphael, made his appearance. He entered the world, eyes open, ready to see what life had to offer. Before his arrival, I baked cookies with our granddaughter, Eliana, hunted for tigers at a nearby […]