I understand that my death could come any day. My own life experiences have etched this understanding into the channels of my heart. I carry a consciousness of my mortality into all my ordinary actions. Knowing that the potential of death looms nearby influences what I think about, dream about and do with my days.Continue reading “Hope and heartache on this side of the grave”
Tag Archives: Christian living
In the Christian journey’s four seasons, “All Shall be Well”
For a year of my life, I lived in Northern California, where the seasons felt all out of order, the rhythm of nature a mess. In the winter, everything was bright and green from the cool rains and in the summer the grasses were golden and dry. Yet, spring bloomed with newness and fall wasContinue reading “In the Christian journey’s four seasons, “All Shall be Well””
Learning to abide in care
What does it mean to be a community of care? How can we deepen in our care for one another in a world so caught up in efficiency and the self-protection of individualism?
Beyond lonely scrolling
Sitting alone in a living room on a dark winter night, I am staring at a screen once again. With a TV buzzing in the background, I scroll down through tragic headlines, past photos of smiling babies and occasional political rants. The warmth of the laptop upon my legs and its glow across my faceContinue reading “Beyond lonely scrolling”
Lent’s inevitable disappointment and the constant turn to God
Praying with Fr. James’ Martin SJ’s Examen app recently, I heard the words, “Lent is drawing to a close. For Christians, that means not only is there some anticipation for the celebration of Easter, but also some inevitable disappointment about your Lenten spiritual practices …” “Inevitable disappointment.” The words froze me still. And completely validatedContinue reading “Lent’s inevitable disappointment and the constant turn to God”
The wonderful inconvenience of love
Happy Valentine’s Day!! I love this day so much because this is a day when we can celebrate and praise God for the gift of the strongest force in the universe: love! Love is the foundation of Christian living. Love is what drives us disciples to do what the world may not ever understand. LoveContinue reading “The wonderful inconvenience of love”
From farm to city and back again: Listening and loving on the margins
Decades ago, as a child growing up in the rolling hills of Northeast Iowa, I would daydream of simpler times, of the days when people were pioneers and steadily establishing their families and homes and building communities upon frontiers. My younger sisters and I would gather in groves of cedar trees tucked into the hillsContinue reading “From farm to city and back again: Listening and loving on the margins”
Toddler Tantrums and the Kingdom of God
By Guest Blogger Nicole Wooldridge. It was one of those moments every parent dreads: my two-year-old had worked herself into an ugly public tantrum, and I had to abandon our planned activity in order to haul her thrashing body out to the car. Frustrated and embarrassed, I couldn’t help but think to myself: “Seriously, Jesus?Continue reading “Toddler Tantrums and the Kingdom of God”
People watching and categories
I have a confession to make. I’ve noticed something about myself while I have been bopping around Chicago the past few days. Here goes: I tend to be really judgmental. There, you have it. What an ugly admission. Let me explain. As I walk down streets, go through crowds and sit at train stations, IContinue reading “People watching and categories”
seven days of salvation
strangers grip palms, bond at bus stops grins by glory, pilgrims unite onward, hosannas and hellos true buzz on the street: whisper, plot, might centuries of destruction and war ring doom age the days of tension, hoping who can save us from our plight? bright spring moon, free, feasting friends wash feet; bread, wine multiplyContinue reading “seven days of salvation”