Category: Blog
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The Gift of Presence
I’ve been picking up on a theme. Just over a week ago, I read an article related to a specific business, and it referred to the power of presence that professionals in that industry offer their clients. Near the same time, I listened to a podcast in which the idea…
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Almost There
On the weekends, kids at the pool watch the clock closely, eagerly waiting for ‘adult swim’ to officially be over. Last weekend, while he was waiting, one little boy went to the large ruler by the stairs that lead to the big, covered, winding slide to see if he was…
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Our Refuge
I wasn’t surprised to wake up to the sound of rain falling steadily because a very high chance of rain was predicted. After several recent rains skipped our area, I welcomed the much-needed rain and was confident this forecast would finally be accurate. As I looked at the backyard through…
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True Peace and Tranquility
I have a small candle which I light occasionally during times of prayer and reflection. The aroma is pleasant and mild, and on the outside of the candle are the words ‘peace and tranquility.’ Though the candle helps create a quiet, prayerful environment and encourages me to focus my thoughts,…
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Who We Are
I was blessed to have a good and fulfilling conversation with a friend this week about faith, where God is working in our lives, and other related topics. In our discussion, I admitted that my immediate thought in response to seeing, reading, or hearing something troubling, especially when it involves…
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Prayers Worth Sharing
I have a few prayer ‘phrases’ or short prayers that I recite especially in moments when I don’t know where to start or when I don’t specifically know what to pray for. I just know that I desire to simply be with God and seek His peace, and these help…
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Whose Voice Do We Hear?
We’ve all probably gone through those periods of time when we feel as if everything is going wrong. Even when we absolutely know many things are going ‘right.’ It just tends to add up all at once, so we can easily, and naturally, feel sad, weak, tired, angry, frustrated, alone,…
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Time to Just ‘Be’
For a little change of scenery to do some reflecting and praying at home, I spent some time in a room I don’t often go into. I settled in to try to organize (or at least calm) my thoughts and ended up focusing on a wall decoration directly across from…
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“Go in Search of…”
The Creative Writing class I was in my senior year of high school was responsible for producing the school’s annual literary magazine which was published in the spring with the yearbook. Many of us in that class were also on the school yearbook and newspaper staffs. For both of those,…
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A Stewardship of Love and Hope
We are familiar with the idea of being good stewards of our time, talent, and treasure. We are reminded about that at church, and there’s nothing wrong with it. All of those, however we choose to participate, are important, necessary, and done for the Glory of God. But I heard…
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Unexpected Graces
I have a nice plant stand that unfortunately didn’t have a potted plant on it for a few weeks. By now, I’m used to seeing that empty spot, but I was having a friend visit me for a day, so I thought it would be nice and more welcoming if…
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The Spirit of Patience
Waiting isn’t always difficult, especially when it’s expected and planned for. As we know, some things just take time – getting into a crowded sports arena to see a game, going through airport security, holding for a customer service representative on the phone. I go into these situations expecting to…
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Ups and Downs – at the Same Time
Experiencing ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ is nothing new. They come to us in both large and small ways. Most of the time, it’s one or the other (or one than the other), but when they happen at the same time, it can be hard to keep up. I have found myself…
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What Would Make Jesus Smile?
The homily I heard over the weekend got my attention, and I have been reflecting on the question Father posed to us: What can we do today that would make Jesus smile? Father asked this in the context of not being able to change what has already taken place, not…
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The Voice of Companionship in Christ
Sometimes I forget until it happens. Like it did yesterday: two different people at two different times on the same day offering a similar message. I could only think – believe – the Lord sent them to me with the words I needed to hear. They were voices of encouragement,…
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Take a Break
It seems to happen every summer. After many hot days in a row, just when we think we can’t handle any more, we get a break – a day or two of cooling clouds and lower temperatures. Though the heat is sure to return, the break from it is always…
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Finding God in the Fallen Pieces
Have you played the popular game with the tall tower made of small wooden blocks stacked in rows of three on top of each other? Players take turns carefully pulling a block from the tower then placing it on top. The game is over when removing one block causes all…
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The Holy Spirit at Work
I often spend some extra time on Gospel readings that involve bodies of water. Not only is there always something very significant happening, but the water also helps me envision the scene – the sounds of the waves rushing to the shore, the smell of fish, and the sight of…
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To-Do List of Faith
I have occasionally gone through phases when it feels there is so much to do, I don’t know where to start, so I just do nothing. Obviously, that’s not productive or helpful, so for a little motivation, I try taking inventory on what should be done, and I make to-do…
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Bringing Jesus to Others
When I was a very young adult and beginning to volunteer in a new church, I remember feeling slightly intimidated when I was introduced to a ‘Minister.’ There were several – Music Minister, Outreach Minister, Youth Minister, etc. New at volunteering in an environment outside of school, I wondered what…
Journeying to Grace 