Life is a swirling dance of sorrow and joy, suffering and grace. And in the middle of the waltz, brief moments where the music stops. And for those few minutes, rest. I know He's twirling this achingly beautiful symphony into something breathtaking. Somehow. Someday. Yet, I'm grateful for brief moments to catch my breath. To … Continue reading The Dance
Sparkles of Hope
The snow falls, a shower of glitter against golden sunrays that have pushed through dark clouds. My children and I stare out the window, breathless with wonder. "It's like a snow globe!" one of them exclaims. For a moment, I can almost imagine that my world is small and sparkly and encased in glass. A … Continue reading Sparkles of Hope
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Learning Outside the Box
We made our way down the dirt trail in the woods, our arms too full to swat at the mosquitoes swarming around every exposed bit of skin. The gear was heavy, but not unmanageable. It would be a late night, but this was the perfect outside-the-box learning opportunity. We were going to help some scientists … Continue reading Learning Outside the Box
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Words
She doesn't want to do her creative writing assignment. "It's too hard!" she says. "I don't want to go for a walk and write down what I see and hear and feel." "Come walking with me?" I offer. "We can do it together." We find ourselves crunching along a trail on a sunny Thursday morning. … Continue reading Words
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Space for the Savior
Sunlight filters through the curtain. Though weak and wintry, the light is a welcome rarity this time of year. The clock shows the lateness of the morning, yet the house is quiet. Restful. We have no obligations this morning. Nothing pressing on our time. It's beautiful having space to breathe. Over the break, we've taken … Continue reading Space for the Savior
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A Mother’s Love
Everyone was out except the two of us. I was sipping tea and reading. She was writing a journal entry on her computer. I glanced up from my corner of the couch, and I could see the title big and bold: "My Family." "May I read it?" She ducked her head shyly. "It's kind of … Continue reading A Mother’s Love
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Sanctuary
One of my favourite places to go birdwatching is a park nestled among steel mills and scrapyards. Nearby, the highway roars past, often carrying bumper-to-bumper traffic. This is the grittiest part of the city, with air that hangs heavy with the stench of pollution. In previous years, the creek running through this park made the … Continue reading Sanctuary
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Slowing Down
Perhaps it's strange to sit on my bedroom balcony listening to the sounds of the city at night. My husband likes to avoid the noise. I, on the other hand, find it oddly soothing. Someone, somewhere, is having a party, and the sound of laughter intermingles with traffic and the occasional siren. There are fireworks … Continue reading Slowing Down
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Where is God in the Chaos?
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 The past two years, and in particular the past two weeks, have felt surreal. I've watched friends lose their homes and their livelihoods due to lockdowns and mandates. I've watched families ripped apart over health decisions. I've seen … Continue reading Where is God in the Chaos?
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When Your Child Wrestles with Big Questions
"Why doesn't God ever answer my prayers?" Her anguish rolls down her cheeks in large, salty droplets. I gather her shaking body into my arms and hold her close. It was a little thing that set off the flood of tears, but I know the question stems from something much bigger. Why, Lord? I've asked … Continue reading When Your Child Wrestles with Big Questions
The Grace-Filled Life 