The Greatest Song You’ve Never Heard
Do you hear that? Stop for a second. Listen. It’s faint but undeniably present. Can you hear it? It seems to be . . . a melody. It is distant, almost inaudible. If you strain you will hear it more clearly. It is beautiful, wistful, enrapturing. This is the sound of your life. Indeed, life […]
Waiting is Just Part of It all
I heard an overseas friend recently say, “Waiting is just part of it all.” I found myself begrudgingly nodding my head to her statement. I recognized the truth of her words as they resonated deep with my soul. Waiting sure is a part of it all. Honestly, waiting is a rather HUGE part of it […]
A Letter for the One Who’s Waiting
You in the waiting, Yes, you And yes, me too — For we are all waiting for something — Dear sister, Beloved one, You in the waiting, This much I know: There are no shortcuts to healing. There are no shortcuts to wholeness. For we can’t know God as Healer without first being wounded. And […]
A Certain Man from Cyrene
I’ve been a mess lately. Completely wrecked. I’ve honestly been questioning whether or not it’s worth it to feel all the feelings. Something happened to me after the Velvet Ashes retreat and it was followed up by the week of “Edge” posts. I guess I actually gave myself permission to get closer to the edge […]
7 Tips for Stayers and Goers
As a military kid I grew up hearing about these things called “Hail and Farewells.” I didn’t really know what they were; I didn’t even know it was two separate words. I thought of it more as “hailenfarewell” and was at a complete loss as to what it was. But as I began to contemplate […]
Re-entry in the Cereal Aisle
I made one terribly wrong turn. I steered the grocery cart into the cereal aisle at our local grocery store in the States when we had only been back on U.S. soil for less than a week. My heart leapt for joy at the sight of all those beautiful boxes. Ah, CHOICE! Glorious choice! CEREAL! […]
Unpacking ALL of the Suitcases
My eyes wandered over the piles of stuff. Boxes, bags, cords, paper, stickers, dishes, curios. So. Much. Stuff. And so little space. The storage room was already piled high with boxes and books. The hall closet was full of jackets, Christmas décor and wedding gifts. The bedroom closet contained clothing and decorating items. None of […]
Diaspora Blues
I was going on my merry way, enjoying my caramel macchiato and quiet neighborhood, when it happened. I was supposed to be past the hump, right? I mean, I’d been back in the United States for almost two years. Sucker-punch. Sucker-Punch Definition: Primarily involves a closed fist contacting the soft underbelly of a person (beneath […]
Change: A Distraction or a Tool?
I am currently looking out the window in my childhood home. The last time I truly lived here was almost thirteen years ago and I was just starting high school. At that point I had never lived overseas and this home was the only one I could remember. Countless moves and multiple countries later, I’m […]
One Sure Thing That Changes Change
We live in Istanbul. We’ve been here six years. We’re moving back to England next year. Change. Huge change. Two of our children are fine with that. Two are not. It’s tough. The last few days have been full of questions and assertions from my two children who want to stay here. “Are we definitely […]
When Jesus Invites You to the Beach
Come. Come to the beach. Let’s talk. I’ve got a warm fire going for you and breakfast started for you…I know it’s been a long night. I have words for you. I have more for you. You are not done. No, definitely not yet. You may feel like it is all over because you are […]
Remember When
My dream is dead. “And a Happy Easter to you!” you would reply. I can’t pinpoint when it happened exactly, but the slow decline of its vibrancy has placed it on life support for too long. And I am the one doctor remaining in the operating room who refuses to admit it’s over, while everyone […]