Tag: hope

A TIME TO PAUSE…

I had another post ready for today, but the news has been so heavy, so sad… how can I write about embracing and consolidating all of life, when I can’t even begin to fathom how some are surviving it? For today, I am holding… Continue Reading “A TIME TO PAUSE…”

GLIMMERS OF LIGHT

While hiking along Meek’s Mountain, surrounded by lush green darkness, I noticed these glimmers of light on the leaves. They radiated hope for my discouraged soul… Recent weeks have felt heavy for Jim and me. He and other high school teachers were told to… Continue Reading “GLIMMERS OF LIGHT”

HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?

My sister Janet had cautioned us that the path around Jordan Pond would be challenging, but Jim and I set out with confidence. We had our hiking sticks and walking shoes. We had our strength and stamina from regularly hiking farther than the distance… Continue Reading “HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?”

THE HEART OF A SPRINGTIME GARDENER

We have a large, often unsightly drainage basin across from our house. Two years ago, as our neighborhood community considered using chemicals to reduce the weeds and foliage, I asked if I could plant flowers instead. I had recently seen a few rain gardens… Continue Reading “THE HEART OF A SPRINGTIME GARDENER”

THE GLOW ON THE HORIZON

The dreary dawn reflected my spirit – gloomy, discouraged, downhearted – as I walked this morning. Even as I felt grateful for the many blessings in my personal life, I grieved for the world. Every day it seems there is something new to grieve,… Continue Reading “THE GLOW ON THE HORIZON”

WALKING THROUGH HOLY WEEK

(Thanks to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Roseville, MN for the image.) I tried this Holy Week nature walk a few days ago, and found it be a reflective, unique way to remember the incredible stories of the week. I was surprised that I… Continue Reading “WALKING THROUGH HOLY WEEK”

UNTIL THE RESURRECTION

This week, as we revisit the biblical stories leading up to Easter, imagine how confused the disciples must have felt about Jesus. How quickly their days changed! In one week, they most likely experienced so many emotions – joy as people waved and cheered… Continue Reading “UNTIL THE RESURRECTION”

A PICTURE AND A POEM: HOPE

There’s a glow behind the foothills – a new day is about to dawn,but down here in the valleywe will keep our porch lights on. For even as we sense the hopeof an ending to the nightwe are essential keepersand bearers of the light.… Continue Reading “A PICTURE AND A POEM: HOPE”

ADVENT HOPE: FROM FEARING TO FINDING

HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR OUTLOOKFriday, December 2nd Fear: to be afraid of; expect with alarm; to have a reverential awe ofFind: to come upon often accidentally, encounter; to come upon by searching or effort; to attain, reach; to discover by the intellect… Continue Reading “ADVENT HOPE: FROM FEARING TO FINDING”

ADVENT HOPE: FROM MOURNING TO MORNING

HOPE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR GRIEFThursday, December 1st Mourning: the act of sorrowing Morning: dawn; the time from sunrise to noon; a period of first development; beginning This year, several of our friends will be spending their first holidays without a loved one.… Continue Reading “ADVENT HOPE: FROM MOURNING TO MORNING”