The first day of autumn. The milkweed is beginning to puff with seeds. It won’t be long now before they brazenly burst, and the breeze will carry wisps of white bearing kernels of life. Everywhere, the asters are blooming boldly—purple New England and white heath. There’s chicory, too, first brought by the early settlers as … Continue reading Goldenrod Days: New Seasons and Letting Go
To the mom who is just starting out… And to myself. You’re excited about homeschooling. And completely terrified. Breathe. God has entrusted your children to you. Not to anyone else. To you. He knew they needed you. You need them too. You are uniquely equipped to be their mom—to love them, to walk alongside them, … Continue reading Dear homeschool mom who is just starting out…
We sit cross-legged on weathered wood and look across the lake. Gentle hills, thick with trees, rise and fall on the other side. And in the water, lily pads rise and fall too. “Dose weaves are walking on da water!” my three-year old exclaims. Last weekend, thunder crashed and the lake churned. Lightning lit up … Continue reading The Rhythm of Rest
Her eyes are closed but she’s still awake. I’m cradling her in my arms, although she’s far too big to fit comfortably anymore. She’ll be three in May, this little one. Wide awake, yet she doesn’t slit her eyes even the slightest to see where we’re going. My feet creak heavy on the stairs and … Continue reading Stepping Out
My daughter spotted it first, clinging to a wall beside an old railway track. “Look, Mom,” she called excitedly. “Look what I found!” It was just a common grasshopper. Nothing special. But as I bent close, I could see its leg quiver, hear a chirping sound. It’s called stridulation—when the inside of a male’s rear … Continue reading The Most Humble of Things
Sometimes, the only way to conquer fear is to do the very thing you are afraid to do. Instead of praying for fear to miraculously dissipate, sometimes we need to pray that God gives us the strength to step out.
