WRITE: Update from Peru, Final (for now)–EXCESS
Looking out from Casa de Paz Excess. That describes what I brought to Peru. Knowing my visit would last two weeks and might not include access to laundry facilities, I packed plenty of clean clothes, jewelry, and three pairs of shoes. I had church clothes and casual clothes, two jackets, and, well—excess. Excess. I didn’t think of the beautiful purse I carried, a gift from one of my daughters, as excess until I arrived in Trujillo. The missionary friend who met me has worked in Peru for more than a decade. The bag she carried matched mine in size, but its worn, faded fabric made me question its usefulness. Her battered van, emblazoned with Scripture verses and her ministry’s name and logo, made my aging Honda Odyssey seem like a luxury vehicle. And the laundry she washes out in her tiny bathroom made me wonder why I didn’t stick to a few pairs of jeans and four or five T-shirts. Excess. Two weeks ago today, God spoke to my spirit at 4:30 in the morning as I landed in Lima. With the plane’s lights down and the skies still dark, most of my fellow passengers dozed. Not me. I all but bounced in my seat as I celebrated the God who was, by bringing me to Peru, fulfilling the desire of my heart. One of my first published projects has a strong connection to Peru. Three of my children as well as my husband have served on mission trips there. Now, I could experience Peru myself. “This is my excess,” God said, “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, KJV). Excess. I see such a deep overflow in the life of my new friend, Avis Goodhart. The overflow of God’s Spirit through hers has birthed one ministry, three institutions, and countless stories of lives changed and hope renewed. Through years of choice and challenge, trial and triumph, God has brought her (as another new friend puts it), “Treasures in the Dust.”One day, Avis and I hope to share those treasures in book form. For now, my job is to wave a tearful goodbye to Peru, return to the loving arms of my family, and get to work sorting and shaping the story of an ordinary life that accomplishes the extraordinary. Life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). That’s the best kind of...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those Who Mourn–and Remember
I’m back after an extended break from my blog. In May, my father, who never used tobacco, was diagnosed as terminal after a long battle with metastasized oral cancer. I traveled to my parents’ Ohio home in late May and didn’t return to Florida until a week after his June 10 passing. Since then, I’ve had some trouble finding focus. I’ve written only what I’ve had to. And I’ve enjoyed some extended family time. One day, I’ll write more about my dad. But today, on the anniversary of a tragic day, I thought it appropriate to get back to blogging with a prayer for those who mourn. Our Lord, today we cry out to you in sorrow. We know the events that took place eleven years ago didn’t surprise you. But we also as the horrific scene unfolded, your heart, like ours, was broken. Today, I ask you to comfort those who mourn. Some remember a loved one suddenly taken from them in New York City or a Pennsylvania field. Others waver in the grip of another loss—whether a person, a relationship, a position, or something else. No one can say the right words. No one can make things better. No one, our Father and Friend, except you. We trust you to use sadness and sorrow to draw us closer to you. We trust you to keep working out your purpose despite man’s sin-sickness. And we ask you to help us be your instruments as we comfort those whose grief endures beyond an anniversary date or a half-masted flag. Thank you for our land of freedom, Lord. Thank you for your world and the people you created. Help us live together in peace, turn our swords into plowshares, and keep pointing people to the One who is over all. In your holy name I pray—AMEN. Where were you when you first heard the news of the tragedy of September 11, 2001? Do you mourn a more recent loss? Feel free to share by leaving a comment. You know I’ll be honored to pray for...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Mothers of Young Children
Father, today I come to you to lift up mothers of young children. Some of them came to motherhood, as I did, after years of hoping and praying. Others were surprised in one way or another by motherhood. And some may not have intended to become mothers at all. Lord, I thank you that you are there to meet each mother in her unique circumstance. You know her needs and her deep desires. You know her failures and her victories, the times she weeps in silence or giggles in glee. Please, God, come to her. Come to her when she holds a crying infant who won’t give up. Come to her when she settles one more argument over a favorite toy. Come to her when the teacher’s report is negative and the pregnancy test the opposite. Come to her when she faces the unthinkable. Come to her. Surround her. Love her. Support her. Strengthen her and guide her into all truth, all light, all of you. As this mother sleeps tonight, Lord, would you whisper into her ear? Remind her that she matters. Remind her you waste nothing. Remind her you see what others don’t. And remind her that you had a mother, too. In your holy name I pray—AMEN....
read moreYA Friday: PRAY: Prayer for Mothers of Teens/Young Adults
Women of all ages look forward to it, celebrate it, and hate it. What’s the occasion? Mother’s Day. As a young wife struggling to conceive her first child, I dreaded this holiday. When our smiling pastor encouraged every mother to stand and receive a rose, I sat in my pew and blinked back the tears. As the mother of a son born too early, I didn’t try to hide my tears. As the often-harried mother of five little ones, I cherished each handprint picture or scribbled “I Love You” card. Today, I’m the mother of teens and young adults. Two of mine have left the nest. One is poised on its edge. And the other two are busy strengthening their wings. I’m hijacking my normal YA Friday post for teens to offer this prayer for moms like me. Tomorrow and Sunday, I’ll post two more Mother’s Day prayers. You need them, you deserve them, and—like most moms—you don’t often take time to pray them for yourself. Father of all, I thank you for the gift of motherhood. I’m honored to share in this glorious heritage. Without your intervention, I’d still be weeping as others received their roses. But with you, Father, I have gifts so much greater than roses. You’ve made the barren woman rejoice as a joyful mother of children. I want to thank you for each of my children and their unique gifts. Each one is precious. Each one drives me crazy. And each one (as I told them growing up) is my favorite every day. Father, I lift up those moms who are discouraged in their parenting of teens and young adults. Remind them to take the long look, that a bad day does not mean a horrible life. Give them sweet memories of the past and powerful dreams for the future. When the skies darken, help them to find light in your Word. Give them a peace that passes understanding and love that knows no limits. Live in them and through them so they can do the work— the tremendous, terrible, wonderful work——of being a mom. Lord God, I ask you to help each one of us who has teen/YA children to let them grow up. Help us surround our children not with barbed wire and electric fences, but with bonds of love. Give us as much joy in seeing them drive and date as we did in watching those toddling first steps. Grant us patience when they test our boundaries and wisdom to know when those boundaries must expand. Pour out your spirit to guide us when we speak, your strength to help us remain silent, and wisdom to know when to do which. For these my mother-sisters, I ask your gifts of grace to endure, mercy to cover, and love to continue when we don’t think we can. Thank you again for the blessing of motherhood. And thank you for the blessing of knowing you. In your holy name I pray—AMEN. Do you have a special request for a child or mother today? Feel free to comment below or email me here. I’ll be honored to join you in...
read morePRAY: PEARL GIRLS: Joy Comes from Perseverance by Sheila Walsh
During a busy week of writing and preparation for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, I’ve chosen to share some of the Pearl Girls’ special Mother’s Day blog posts. Enjoy–and don’t forget to enter their contest for a pearl necklace, described below. Welcome to Pearl Girls. Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series–a week-long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Sheila Walsh, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Bonnie St. John, and more). Watch for more posts for another unique perspective on Mother’s Day. AND … do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand-crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just CLICK THIS LINK and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/6-5/13 and the winner will be announced on 5/14. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls, please visit www.pearlgirls.infoand see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Graceor one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT Mother’s Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls. And to all you MOMS out there, Happy Mother’s Day!Joy Comes from Perseverance by Sheila WalshOne of the most important lessons I have learned in my own life is the joy that comes from perseverance. Eugene Peterson, borrowing a phrase from Friedrich Nietzsche, wrote his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society. He points to the Psalms as the way believers have always learned to pray what they live and live what they pray, but it is not a short journey. It is an intentional commitment to keep walking even when you are worn out.*If we want to see lasting results in any area of life it is important to keep walking in that direction. *If we want to have a better understanding of the Gospel of John then it takes time and commitment to dig deeper day after day. *If we want to be thinner this summer than last summer then the work begins now not then.So too in our relationship with Christ. *If we want to know Him at a more profoundly intimate level, that also takes an intentional seeking after Him every day. As a grown woman I have come to love the beauty of this gift. Passing this mined treasure on to my son on the other hand has been an interesting challenge. We live in such a fast-paced, attention-challenged culture where the latest thing can be delivered to your doorstep by tomorrow for a few dollars more. But, as you know, by the time it is delivered it has already been replaced or updated! How do we speak then into the lives of our children to help them understand and value perseverance? For me, part of the puzzle meant a large piece of poster board, scissors, some photos and a bottle of Elmer’s glue. My son Christian and I spread everything out on a sheet in the game room as I explained our project. “We’re going to make a family faith-tree,” I said. ”These are photos of family on your dad’s side and...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
