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
Category: Encouragement
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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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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Thoughts on Christian Dissidence
How should a Christian dissent? Is there a right way and a wrong way? What role are we called to play?
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Goldenrod Days: New Seasons and Letting Go
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
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Dear homeschool mom who is just starting out…
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…
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The Rhythm of Rest
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
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Stepping Out
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
The Grace-Filled Life 