The Answer to All the Questions
I’ve always been a question asker, a seeker of knowledge. I hunger and thirst for answers, for insight, for understanding. And this question-asking has often served me well, for questions can lead to a greater awareness of God or of His cosmos or of the human creatures He so lovingly tends. Questions can lead to […]
Bird’s Nests, Eggshells and the Remedy for Our Desperate Reaching for Control
I have dirt under my fingernails constantly from scraping for control in a world where I have learned in recent weeks I maintain very little. Yes, this is a bleak sounding way to start off a post. I promise the light will crack through because it always does and often in unexpected ways. Earlier in […]
When You Don’t Know Where This Path Leads
Lilias Trotter, a worker in North Africa, once said, “You can never tell to what untold glories any little humble path may lead if you follow far enough.” And as you already know, the path of getting ready to go to the field is full of humble moments. Moments of asking for support, asking for […]
Kicking Off Those Ill-Fitting Shoes
I feel like everyone is watching me. It is as if every area of my life has now become a topic for judgement. What stores do I shop at? Wouldn’t it be better to shop at the open market? My parenting, my language, my cooking (I mean, do you eat the national food or not […]
The People Pleasing Dilemma Vs. God
Friday morning dawns, and I am on my way to lead the women’s Bible study at my church. As I load my car with the items necessary to teach these women who have been Christians all their lives, I receive a call from my daughter who needs me to go shopping with her to find […]
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 […]
Why Waiting Is Good for Me
Waiting and cross-cultural ministry seem synonymous at times. We wait… For funds to be raised For visas to be approved For flights to land For shipped items to arrive For languages to be learned For cultural shock to pass For ministries to begin And so on. I still remember the excitement of finally having my […]
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 […]
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 […]
Confessions of a Scaredy-cat
Yeah…so….I’m pretty much a scaredy-cat, and now that I actually own a cat, I can truthfully admit that the metaphor applies. I’m easily startled, as if all my muscles are in a perpetual state of tension, ready at any moment to flee from real or perceived danger. I like to skulk around in the corners, […]
All the Scary Things
“If you’re traveling in the region, you should exercise extreme caution.” Travel advice for the area I live in, from www.gov.uk A quick glance registered a group of around 100 or so people carrying spears and bows and arrows. It’s a parade, I thought. But something nagged me to take another look. No, those aren’t […]