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””
Tag Archives: privilege
On parenting, poverty, and privilege
It’s been two months since our family abruptly said goodbye to the mission we were serving in Honduras. We left because our five-year-old daughter came down with dengue fever, a nasty mosquito-borne illness that becomes even nastier if contracted a second time. In someone who has already had the illness, a second exposure can resultContinue reading “On parenting, poverty, and privilege”
A sacred reminder
I love Christmas. The rhythm of Advent, the hopeful anticipation, the clarifying cold, the scent of evergreen, the congealed wax at the base of the Advent wreath: these memories and images are so deeply ingrained in my soul and psyche that this time of year, more than any other, embodies a powerful —even sacramental —sentimentality. The nostalgiaContinue reading “A sacred reminder”
Clothing bales and hurting more than we help
Several years ago, I had an opportunity to tour a recycling center. Much about my visit was interesting, but what I still remember most vividly are the giant clothing bales. During the tour it was explained to us that not all of the clothing we donate to thrift shops is redistributed locally; some is shipped abroad andContinue reading “Clothing bales and hurting more than we help”
Power, politics and Pope Francis
It’s St. Francis day and we have a Pope Francis! Thanks be to God, Pope Francis is really using his time in leadership to make big changes and redefine roles. Basically Pope Francis is doing a great job of honoring his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. This is really good news for Franciscans like me whoContinue reading “Power, politics and Pope Francis”
Can anything good come from Haiti?
For most of us, inevitably when we hear “Haiti” our next thought is poverty. This has bothered me. Not because it is not true, but perhaps because it diminishes the Haitian people to a status of needing pity, or to a nation of people who cannot pull themselves together to build a sustainable living. “OhContinue reading “Can anything good come from Haiti?”