Category Archives: Uncategorized

Rewriting my narrative without fear of rejection   One of our Hope Lodge guests stopped me the other day and said, “did you forget?” I replied, “forget what?” He said, “how valued and loved you are!” This guest, since he and his wife checked in, has been a cup-filler for me. Our running greeting goesContinueContinue reading “A Different Kind of Beauty”

The impassible things feel impossible: cancer diagnosis, addiction, severed relationships, death, a motherless child, a childless mother…those deep aches that no amount of self-talk, wisdom, or perspective can eradicate. The encouraging words don’t help. These are not life situations that will go away with a pep-talk or positive attitude. There is importance in suffering. AContinueContinue reading “Walking the Impassible”

  There is an incongruent curve in the carved shape of me. An indention chipped from finite imperfection cloaked as perfection. A masquerade artistically choregraphed out of lies. Inching along this tightrope will lead to my demise.  The choice is mine, to sandblast past façade to imperfection below. The glorious groove of grace and growthContinueContinue reading “I’m NOT faking it until I make it anymore…”

“To all broken & mourning, you have been given a crown of beauty & life instead of ashes (He works best from the ashes, dear one), blessings of bountiful joy instead of the garment of mourning, jubilant praise instead of sinking despair. Your righteousness is like a great oak tree; our Lord has planted you forContinueContinue reading “The day Sorrow painted a picture of Joy and Beauty”

I’m in a valley tucked in-between two mountain ranges. Lavender, with its clean laundered sent, stretches as far as the eye can see. I run calloused hands over tender bud.  Walking up the hill, I see the expanse of the valley wide. The edge of night lightens to purple. The mountains are stoic, as ifContinueContinue reading “An Unveiling Change (Unveiled Beauty)”

“All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” – CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe“Courage, dear heart” – CS Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of Dawn Treader“Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something’s afoot in his holy house. He’s on the move! –ContinueContinue reading “In Search of Narnian Lampposts”

His People: ShepherdsPinpricks of light pierce the inky black. The soft bay of sheep carries on the wind. The night air stirs; a desert chill. Cloaked shepherds abide with their flock, tending them, rod and staff close at hand. Some nod, chins falling into the crook of their neck. Others softly run fingers in silkyContinueContinue reading “His People: Shepherds”

What kicks off your Christmas season?   For me, it is Collage: A Holiday Spectacular, put on by UK Choirs and guest ensembles at the Singletary Center for the Arts. My friend, James Aaron, introduced me to this wonderful festivity. The concert has quickly become a tradition.   The performance blends different mediums: percussion, choir,ContinueContinue reading “Collage: A Holiday Spectacular”

What have I done with my kingdom heart? Where am I currently taking it?… You have a heart for joy—where is your hope for joy set right now? You have a heart for redemption—where are you taking your heart for redemption these days? You ache for restoration, yours and those you love—where is your hope forContinueContinue reading “Communion: He renews ALL things”

photo represents the inward battleAn interesting dichotomy, the feeling of invincibility & mortality. As I grow older I find these two trains of thought sobering, disquieting, & encouraging. As time barrels through like an unhinged freight train I seek presence. To stay tethered to the moment when life is spinning at break neck speeds, unendingContinueContinue reading “An Interesting Dichotomy”