He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Relational conflict and the angst it produces can rob us of peace and devour our time. And for us older folks, there is little time to squander. I love how realistic the Bible is in its admonition to "try to the best of your ability to be at peace with everyone." So, to the extent... Continue Reading →
My 3-year old granddaughter came home from her first day of preschool and announced with great delight, "Mama, BIG Surprise!" She then reached down the neck of her dress and pulled out a family photograph - the same photograph that she had brought to school that morning and was supposed to leave at school, at... Continue Reading →
During a long Chicago winter in 1995, I attended a Bible study for young moms. The leader was a woman named Joan (pseudonym), a seasoned follower of Jesus, probably in her 60s, her nest long empty. I recall that her make up was perfect and she wore bright colored, impeccably tailored suits that contrasted the... Continue Reading →
The judge begrudgingly told me, "I am sorry we cannot pass your dog." Codie had failed the culminating test of the dog training class. A true golden retriever, she could not hold her STAY position for the required minutes, the urge to say hello to onlookers (and judges) becoming too much. While her compliant classmates,... Continue Reading →
My niece is taking an improv class, and I asked her if there was a culminating performance. She responded, “Oh no, I am not ready yet. With improv, you have to rid yourself of the impulse for self-protection. You have to lose your ego and be able to face embarrassment.” I confess that my ego... Continue Reading →
Are you familiar with the childhood clapping-chant that begins with the query, “Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?” This is followed by a pointed accusation and a subsequent denial. (“Mama stole the cookies… Who me?… Yes, you!… Couldn’t be!… Then who?”) Moral ambiguity aside, the exchange is a fun way to practice clapping... Continue Reading →
I was headed to the kitchen of my parent's Florida home, when I noticed their bedroom door was ajar. It was after ten, past their bedtime, which was curious. I peeked through the opening and caught sight of the two of them on their knees side by side, heads bowed. They were in their late... Continue Reading →
I'm holding out a treat out for our six-month old puppy who sits with great expectation. (Did you know there are "high stakes treats"? For Lena, it's a morsel of smoked chicken.) But then comes the challenge. "STAAAAY!!" I back away and stare her down while counting slowly. Our goal is five. But Lena loses... Continue Reading →
"Where's the Big Love?" Lena, our new puppy, responds to this prompt with kisses and the occasional love bite. She is gradually learning to restrain her puppy teeth and lick our outstretched hands, in exchange for more petting and loving on our part. (Each day there is more of her to love, as groomer appointments... Continue Reading →
When God told Moses that he was the one God had chosen to lead the Israelites out of slavery and into the promised land, how did Moses respond? He basically countered God with everything he had. Who was he to do such a thing? He had spent the last few decades as a lowly shepherd... Continue Reading →
Sometimes we are reminded of God's presence through a brilliant sunset, a waterfall, the moon emerging amid a starry backdrop. Other times these reminders are more obscure, intended just for us Yesterday I was walking our new puppy through our new neighborhood feeling, well, new. Friendships have been slow to develop and family is in... Continue Reading →
Well, not exactly. On a recent Sunday afternoon an Amazon box was plopped at our front door. When I opened it, I was disappointed. I meant to order a box of individual note cards with Bible verses on them. Instead, what Amazon thought I wanted was one single giant card with one giant verse. I... Continue Reading →
“Thank you for this food. Thank you for our family. And thank you for being with us." I placed a bowl of mixed vegetables and chicken nuggets in front of my three-year-old granddaughter. “WHERE IS HE?“ she demanded. She looked around the kitchen as if to find God sitting on a nearby bar stool. “Well,... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday during church, Wendy (pseudonym) leaned over to me and whispered a prayer request. Her three-month old grandson was in the hospital, struggling with a respiratory virus. "Please pray!" Then she did something unexpected. She put her hand over her mouth and said these words into her hand, "Lord, I trust you for baby... Continue Reading →
Natalie Grant has a song called Held which reminds us that even when life is at its lowest, we have the promise of the hand of God holding us up. When I am feeling low, I think of verses that support this message. In Isaiah 41, God declares, "For I am the LORD, your God... Continue Reading →
Shadows and Shelters 