Not Having the Last Word

I took a breath in as I explained, for at least the hundredth time, the scenario. Once again I was met with a scripted reply. I held the phone away for a moment. I wanted to shout “You aren’t listening to me, this is not a scripted reply situation!” As my eyes gazed out our […]

{more}

Let me be small

Let me be small. For a moment. A moment wrapped in my grandmas cozy quilt. The daylight dawning. I curl up, as close to the chair as I can manage. I snuggle in, wanting to feel small, protected, secure. I need to start here. Each day. With something bigger than me. Stronger than me. A […]

{more}

Manna, Again.

We get up. Take the puppy out. Again. Have breakfast. Wash dishes. Get dressed. Again. School happens. Toys get played with. Books reread. Floors vacuumed. Toys picked up. Again. Check that homework gets done. Backpacks ready. Groceries stocked. Again. Our weekdays, mostly the same. I use to think I’d reach a level of faith where […]

{more}

Cherished- our vows

It is with the greatest pleasure that I have ever known that I, Rob, take you, Melanie, as my wife. And as God works in me to make me more like Jesus, I make the following promises to you: I will love you like I will love no other person on this earth. I will […]

{more}

Opportunity Cost and my resistance

Fingers ready for Five Minute Friday to be back. Anticipating. Here comes the word: Opportunity. I stare at my screen. Short on words. And I realize, opportunity swirls around as negative in my mind. Opposed to trust. Maybe I confuse it with being opportunistic. Surely that’s not good. Or perhaps it’s my MBA days and […]

{more}

Christmas Light Wonder

Last night we drove to meet my in laws for dinner. They were up from South Carolina, visiting a treasured great aunt who is most likely drawing her last breaths here on earth. From the back seat were exclamations of “Wow. Look at those lights!” I smile at his unbridled excitement that Christmas lights bring. […]

{more}

Thank you (Five Minute Friday)

For hours this Thanksgiving afternoon, we sat at our dining room table. The “one of my first purchases out of college” table. From This End Up. Makers of furniture sturdy and indestructible. It’s 25 years proudly show. Each scratch remembering stories. Each dent a reminder of the life we have lived. Thank you for our […]

{more}

Stay with me little ones

Stay. I’ve cried out to each of my six. Stay. Hold on. Willing my body to not let them go. Stay. Where is warm and inviting. Where I can nurture your life. But they’ve gone. Each time. My will,not strong enough. Over years. He expands my soul. This twisty windy path we’ve walked. He shows […]

{more}

Quiet in the Loud (Five Minute Friday)

Quiet Sometimes in a loud, noisy room, my soul is quiet. Resting. Peaceful. Sometimes in a quiet, calm room, my soul is loud. Pacing. Frantic. “In quietness and trust is your strength.” My Father reminds me of this verse. Again and again. It’s not what the world tells me is the source of strength. It’s […]

{more}

Farm Roots

The bumpy roots. Watch out for them. When we were playing wiffle ball. Or hide and seek. Cars filled the gravel driveway. Traveled down the dusty road. Everyone gathered for Sunday dinner. My grandparents farm. The land. The fields. The white house with green trim. Where they raised 13 children. My mom number 10. The […]

{more}

Look (Five Minute Friday)

A few nights ago my husband said, “you look at life through a microscope” “i look at life through a telescope” Truer words have never been spoken. When I look at Fall, I see the tiny acorn. The last green leaf. When I look at you, I see a tear forming in your eye before […]

{more}

Welcome- Five Minute Friday

Welcome. Eyes meeting. Broad smiles. Such joy in inviting us into their home. In the 100 year old house, walls covered with their now grown kids kindergarten art projects. Warm fire on the damp Seattle evening. Comfy chairs pushed up to it. On a low square table in front of the flames, china set. A […]

{more}