The grey asphalt with its twin ribbons of yellow stretched out before us. Outside the passenger window, various heights, lengths, and shades of green nourished my soul. Resting on the horizon above stretched a fluffy white vista of mountains and valleys, like another land or a far-off, unknown world. As a girl, I loved lying … Continue reading A Far-off Country
Recently, my sister sent a cartoon meme. The picture is the nativity scene, but instead of three wise men, there are three women with diapers, formula and casseroles. The title is ‘if there had been three wise women instead’. While amusing on the surface, a red flag went off in my soul. Several lies lurk … Continue reading Good Gifts
Soft, pliable dough squishes through my fingers as I massage it into a round ball. Pleasure sings in my heart as I sense the smoothness of it under my rolling pin. Using the right amount of pressure, I stretch the elastic mass at different angles, slowly forming it into a circle. I drape the unwrinkled … Continue reading Perfection
Obedience is not a four-letter word. For many of us, however, it has the same connotations as those well-known derogatory ones, and submission is right there with it. I was quiet and obedient, as a child, with a rebellious heart. I followed the rules but inside I chafed and grumbled. Mostly inside. As an adult, … Continue reading Four-letter Words
Valentine’s day began as the remembrance of the martyrdom of St. Valentine for his faith. Over the centuries, it has morphed into a celebration of love - romantic love. Like Christmas, an entire business has developed around it. Chocolates, flowers, diamonds, etc. and, of course, dinner out. This day has become a big deal for … Continue reading Happy Heart Day
Pressure builds in my head, and it begins to ache. My chest tightens and my breathing becomes shallower. The answers to my husband become short, harsh, and increasingly louder. As my frustration, anxiety and irritation increase, muddled thinking sets in and I become confused then everything else revs up. The problem is I don’t trust … Continue reading GPS
The click-clack of my winter boots on the tile floor echoed off the painted concrete walls. Thrumming filled my ears with every heartbeat, and butterflies had taken up residence in my stomach as I followed the postered and bulletin board-dotted hallway. Thirty-two years old and a mother of three, I had decided to go back … Continue reading Paths
Our blue van disappeared around the bend in the dirt road, with my family safe inside. The quiet of the clearing pressed in on me as it sunk in that I was all alone and defenceless. Looking at the flat tire on the tent trailer sitting behind me, I wondered how long it would take … Continue reading Black Fly Lies
Have you ever heard the saying, "You can't see the forest for the trees."? It means you are so focused on what is right in front of you, the minute, the details, that you forget to look at the big picture, what's important, why you are doing it. In Luke 11 verses 37-54, Jesus had … Continue reading Tree Focus
"While people are saying, 'Peace and safety!,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." 1 Thessalonians 5:3 The great cry of our present time is "Peace!" " Safety!" It has become a battle cry, a mantra, an excuse for expressing anger and fear without … Continue reading Peace and Safety!