I was riding down the crowded streets of Mexico City in a cab when I saw her. She measured about four feet high, backed curved, bent at the waist at a ninety-degree angle, and fingers gnarled and twisted shut. Like an upside down chair, her face was parallel to the dirty sidewalk. Feet, dirt, trash. That was her view of the world. Read more…
Ann. I just love her. In just the few years I’ve know her, she has taught me much about gracious, grace-filled living. My friend Jill has the privilege of being a companion to Ann two days a week. But Jill is more than a companion…she is Ann’s friend.
Last week Ann called Jill in a panic.
“Jill, Read more…
I wish you could sit with me for one day and read the emails that come to my inbox. Some rip my heart out. Such was the case with the one I’m going to share with you today. This dear sister has graciously granted me permission to share it. This blog is a bit long, but I really want you to to get it. Read more…
Have you ever watched a performer on a flying trapeze under the massive circus tent? A short horizontal bar suspended by ropes or metal straps dangles high above the crowd. The aerialist grabs the trapeze bar, jumps off of a high platform, and swings through the air.
She swings out once, swings back in above the platform, and swings out again. Read more…
I’ve been pondering this verse today: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1 NIV).
Most likely you can’t relate to being a slave, but maybe you can relate to the idea of being held captive in some area of your life. Read more…
For over a decade we were joined at the hip. Not a day went by when we didn’t talk on the phone…at least once.
But sometimes friendships come unhinged.
People change. Perspectives change. Purposes change. Passions change.
While nothing went terribly wrong, and no hurtful words were exchanged, the void was vast beyond bridging. Read more…
One last wish.
The longing of a dying mother’s heart.
A wish that only one person could have satisfied. But he didn’t.
If you’ve read any of my books, you know that my childhood was a cauldron of violent arguments, alcohol induced rage, and physically terrifying fights. As a child I saw things that a child should never see and heard things that a child should never hear. Read more…
I sat by her bed.
Her hand swollen…full…unmoving.
Feet that danced just a few weeks ago now stilled.
Arms that lifted just a short time ago now limp.
Words that spilled easily just a moment ago now haulted.
How could life seep away so quickly, right before my eyes?
Mom was ready. Read more…
I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of.
The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before.
Then I heard him. The rooster. Read more…
Last Sunday my pastor had to do some housekeepin’ fussin’ at our congregation before he started his sermon. It was a “Visitors, close your ears” moment as Jimmy interrupted the service for an important message from our neighbors.
See, right beside our church property is a City Park. On Sundays, when our parking lot is full, we tend to use the City Park lot for our overflow parking. Read more…