Now I See

When I move, I see things differently. When I’m still, I see movement differently. When I love, I see both clearly. Be still, my love, and know that I am God.

How Long Does it Take to Grow Up?

Mommy, when you are a hundred, will you be as tall as the clouds? This, my little daughter asks me from her seat on the swing in our backyard. Her sweet up-turned face looks past me to the billowing clouds overhead. To her, growing up means growing taller so she can reach the monkey bars […]

There is no such thing as an innocent bystander

Standing by. It seems such an innocent thing. To watch and not take part. To hover and see who wins Then, unknown to my innards To jockey for good position In order to see how all this comes out. Spectating. Not rooting for or pulling against, Just waiting for it all to pass by. To […]

The Message Our Body Brings to Life

Does it surprise you to look at these two photos, side by side? The one on the left is among the tiniest of miracles, a cell in the brain. The one on the right is perhaps the grandest of miracles, the universe. Their similarity is striking. It’s all a matter of scale… and perspective. One wonders […]

Is God Good All the Time?

“God is good …All the time!And all the time …God is Good!” Ah, the call and response of a faithful people. We like knowing how to respond. But do we believe it? Is God really good all the time? for the parent who’s just lost a child? for the man who’s just received a dire diagnosis? […]

The Trust Game

Have you ever played the trust game? Where someone demonstrates trust in his or her fellows by falling backward into the waiting arms of a team of people set to catch her or him? Blind fall. Big risk. No guarantee. Complete confidence. TRUST. Whom do you trust like that? I just played a new trust game. […]

Mothering Nature

Why wouldn’t she? Build her nest there Under cover Nestled behind Safe from harm? Why wouldn’t she? Trust her pair of eggs To its softness Smooth and deep Hidden from view? Why wouldn’t she? Sit upon them Warm and waiting For their hatching Into the new day? All was quiet All was still All was […]

Restorative Circle: Listening in Love

There’s just something about sitting in a circle. Where everyone faces everyone. There’s no front row and no back row. No first and no last. In fact, no ordination at all. Everyone is equal and opposite the other — literally. This was my first experience with what Alta Vista Elementary School calls a “restorative circle.” […]

Beauty and the Beast Turns the Tables

Something captures us in this story, these characters, and their theme song. Oh, we’ve read it a thousand times, thanks to Disney. Beautiful princess is rescued by fair prince. No, wait! That’s not this story, these characters, or this theme. This re-telling compels us because it’s an improbable love story; beautiful Belle, kind, caring, determined, […]

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain

Years ago, I drove past a home construction site where the foundation had been laid but the frame had yet to take shape. A small sign greeted everyone who came to the job site. It read: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”  ~ Psalm 127:1 I marveled at that bold expression of faith! […]