I must soon rush out the door, transformed into the seventh grade teacher that I am. Research papers, classroom discipline, curriculum work...all of these things will consume the majority of my day. But, perhaps like me, you need a few words of encouragement, a few words to hang your life on today, and a promise... Continue Reading →
Wasted emotions {Perhaps not so wasted}
Over oatmeal, a chocolate turnover, a breakfast sandwich, and, of course, cups of coffee yesterday morning, a dear friend and I discussed a plethora of emotions - specifically those that many would deem wasted. Yearning for a baby. Hoping again and again for conception. Again and again tasting disappointment. Yearning for a husband. Hoping again... Continue Reading →
The ugly and the beautiful
I'm convinced that nothing short of Heaven will ever be able to deliver absolute perfection. Nothing is without some pain, some struggle, some trepidation. We are, after all, firmly rooted in a dying Earth. Yet, we give thanks for that which is broken, shared, bruised, and blessed. When we are really brave, we give thanks... Continue Reading →
Fresh need {And the gift of grace}
"Our approach to the Christian life is as absurd as the enthusiastic young man who had just received his plumber's license and was taken to see Niagara Falls. He studied it for a minute and then said, 'I think I can fix this.'" ~A story retold by Brennan Manning in The Ragamuffin Gospel (p. 13)... Continue Reading →
Miracles we don’t pray for
My church is praying for miracles right now. As a congregation, we have set aside the month of October, as II Chronicles 7:14 indicates, to humble ourselves, seek God's face, and pray. As I have endeavored to follow through with my October commitment, I've realized that there are many miracles that we don't even pray... Continue Reading →
Framed by words
To be perfectly honest, I am not always honest. With myself. With others. With God. This morning, though, I will try to be transparent. Try to let the dirty and the lovely shine through the same window pane. I am, after all, a mosaic of God's making. I am here in Texas for the next... Continue Reading →
Texas. Here I come. And here I am.
Sweaters folders. Shoes wedged into crevices of jeans and power chargers. Suitcase weighed. Second suitcase filling. A late night shower followed by an early morning flight. Exit Saturday and enter Sunday. De-iced airplane. Still air. Airport bookshop. Worship at the church where I was dedicated as an infant. Black bean soup. Evening football cuddled in... Continue Reading →
When the Giver overwhelms
Since I spend so much time publicly doubting on this blog, publicly questioning the Holy, then it is only right that I also spent time repenting, healing, answering my Savior, "Yes." Sometimes the Giver just overwhelms...and sometimes I am overwhelmed by my fragile, broken humanity. I've doubted this week. Some days I've not even wanted... Continue Reading →
An attempt at thanksgiving
As the chaos of classroom noise subsides and I close my curriculum notes for the evening, I give thanks. For three gifts of the reaping. A table-full of breads and muffins, fruits and breads - a sweet Fall gift from parents at school. Macaroni Grill take-out dishes - perhaps not in the traditional sense, but... Continue Reading →
Drug bust!
Well, not quite, but nearly as exciting on one's average Wednesday morning. First, let me set the backdrop. An unusually-wired middle school boy bounces into my room yesterday morning, chirruping in between bounces, "I...[bounce]...had...[hiccup]...a Monster drink....this morning!" Despite my instructions to glue himself to his desk, the morning did not progress in a way that... Continue Reading →
acupofbliss 