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
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
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Bitter Roots
When my neighbour got too old to garden, the nettle moved in. It came in from the alley, under the fence. It spread through rhizomes -- rootstalks that crept unseen beneath the soil. The rhizomes sprung tall and dense patches of weeds. My neighbour's beautiful gardens, the ones that brought her so much joy, were … Continue reading Bitter Roots
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Confessions of a Former Helicopter Mom: How Letting Go Has Changed Our Lives
As I spotted the sweater on the other side of the clothing rack, I knew. She was going to choose that one. It was blue camo. Old-school style fleece and massively oversized. It was everything I didn't like and everything she loves, and I'm trying to let her be herself. So when she picked … Continue reading Confessions of a Former Helicopter Mom: How Letting Go Has Changed Our Lives
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When Being a Fighter Means Asking for Help
Today is Bell Lets Talk day here in Canada. Whatever your thoughts on that, I think we can all agree that putting our stories out there is risky. Others have done it and their courage changed my life. Now it's my turn to be brave. This is the short version of my story, but it's … Continue reading When Being a Fighter Means Asking for Help
The Grace-Filled Life 