Her cries pierce the night and I stumble to her room, body both aching to feed her and aching to sleep. I hold her close, too exhausted to open my eyes and then it’s her eyes that are closed and I’m awake. I sit for a long time, slowly rocking as I inhale her newborn … Continue reading A Place of Quiet Rest
Category: Spiritual Development
Are You Missing Out?
“That day, the Spirit led him to the temple.” (Luke 2:27) He was old. Wrinkled. Grizzled. He probably wasn't much to look at. Just an average senior. You likely wouldn't think twice about him if you passed him on the street. But he had a big, crazy dream that he harboured in his heart. He wanted to … Continue reading Are You Missing Out?
Letting Go
I lugged the heavy bins down the attic stairs, one at a time. Once I got them into the bedroom, I carefully opened the lids and peered inside. Mounds of clothes stared back at me. They were all shapes, colours and sizes. There were clothes from when I was at my thinnest just over … Continue reading Letting Go
Unprompted Gratitude
We were sitting around the table eating spicy taco salad the other night (yum!) when my two-year old daughter piped up. “Daddy, we watched Cars today. I liked it. There was a truck named Mack.” My husband paused, a forkful of food halfway to his mouth. “That’s great! I thought you would like that movie!” … Continue reading Unprompted Gratitude
Shaken Up
"We want to tell you about someone who is very special to us," my friend and pastor, Mary, said to a crowd of people - many of them new immigrants - who were gathered in a field. "I think it's about Terry Fox!" One little boy said to another. We had just finished holding a … Continue reading Shaken Up
Once Upon a Summer Link List
Part 1 – “Once Upon a Summer: Chasing Dreams” Part 2 – “Once Upon a Summer: The Long Journey” Part 3 – “Once Upon a Summer: Unplanned Lessons” Part 4 – “Once Upon a Summer: Welcome to Slovakia” Part 5 – “Once Upon a Summer: Gypsy Children” Part 6 – "Once Upon a Summer: Small Miracles" … Continue reading Once Upon a Summer Link List
Searching for Gold
As the grizzled old prospector walked towards his rundown cabin, a small object on the ground caught his eye. He stooped down to get a closer look. It was a tiny blue bead, evidence that someone had lived here long ago. He picked it up and rubbed it between his fingers thoughtfully. How many others … Continue reading Searching for Gold
Press On
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9) You stand in a sanctuary in which the presence of God is so thick that you can almost reach out and touch it. As you lift … Continue reading Press On
Canoeing the Desjardins
"The blessing of the Lord makes rich ..." (Proverbs 10:22) We had dinner out on the water yesterday. It was spontaneous and special. We threw the canoe on the car, packed the girls in the back, and drove off into the Hamilton wilderness. (That would be Cootes Paradise, for those of you who are scratching … Continue reading Canoeing the Desjardins
Are we there yet?
I shall the effect of this good lesson keeps as watchman to my heart. (William Shakespeare) On Thursday, I read a Bible passage that filled me with the faith to believe that a frustrating season of life was almost over. Two days later, when my circumstances hadn't changed, I got discouraged. "God, it's been TWO … Continue reading Are we there yet?