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(re)parenting
About a year ago I read an interview where someone said that the Bible only has a few passages that speak directly to how to raise kids. They said the area of parenting styles is one (mostly) of personal freedom for Christians. While I agree with this and need to be reminded of this often, Continue reading
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Between Very Good and Glorious
I think it’s significant that before the first humans did anything noteworthy God declared them “very good.” If mountains declare the glory of God I wonder how much more our bodies shout God’s glory – without us ever opening our mouths. They are the vessels that God fearfully and wonderfully made for us to interact Continue reading
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Sweet Child
We sit down for dinner and you eat your pasta. They say getting your kids to eat isn’t a food struggle but an authority struggle. I smile and salt your noodles. I choose to play the long game with your relationship with food over flexing my authority over you. We send you to bed and Continue reading
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I will dare
I will look into Your eyesand I will dare to tell Youthe truth:I’m scaredto just behere with You.Because then, I think, You might be unimpressed. You might grow impatient.You might lose interest. You might leave.I’ve wanted to be more-to pleaseto self-improveto be needed. But I’m confused.Disappointed.I thought this washow to be with You. When it’s Continue reading
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A Human Body
“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.”Colossians 2:9 NLT I think I’m beginning to accept a bit of the significance of Jesus being in a human body. But one aspect of the implications of this has shook me a little: God cares about our bodies. “[Our bodies] were made Continue reading
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where women’s rights begin
It’s hard to rejoice today even though I know I have reason to. The thing that keeps swirling in my head is that women’s rights begin before they feel the need for an abortion. I hope people can agree with that whether or not they believe abortion is a woman’s right. The thing is, so Continue reading
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Mulberries & Grace
They’ve been there whether I’veacknowledged their presenceor not -whether I have experienced their sweetnessor assumed they’re poisonous. Because I know the harm ofpretty thingsand am sometimes wary of goodness. Either way, they ripen begging to be gathered;a days worth at a time.If I slowed downto familiarize myself with themto reach outand gently,gentlyhold onein my hand Continue reading
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Father(s)
You were the skin and bones of my theologybefore I knew how to read the Word.The strong hand I held when my own body felt vulnerable. You were the mouththat laughed and uttered words of shamethat left me confused at how I could be wonderfully madeand still somehow not good enough. You were the armsI Continue reading
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Asking the Father
I love (and sometimes really dislike) how my kids are unafraid to ask me for unreasonable things, cry when I say “no,” and then come to me for comfort. Their tears aren’t toward me personally, though it may feel like it to them and myself for a time. Their tears are really for the loss Continue reading
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Building Something New
“What’s that guy doing?” he asked in his drawn out 2 year old voice. “He’s using a jack hammer to break up the street,” I answered. “But whyyyy?” came the infamous question from the back of the car. “Because sometimes,” I said with a catch in my voice, “you have to break down old things Continue reading
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A Child
Her warm body nestled into mine. My arm resting over her waist. Her hand placed on my arm. My nose pressed against her head breathing in the smell of her freshly washed hair. My wiggly, expressive, imaginative girl relaxed and resting beside me. I wish it were that easy to trust. I wish it were Continue reading
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My Heart
Carefully, firmly you remove the bush of thorns and buds, potential for pain and beauty, from the small pot now unnecessary means of confinement that stunted it’s growth. We examine the roots, stems, leaves. You hold it with understanding, pointing out the potential for growth that will be unhindered. We make room in the earth Continue reading
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Open to Heaven
In asking for heaven on earth we are, like Jesus in Gethsemane or the saints in Hebrews 11, asking for something we may not receive in the way or timing we want. Yet we are told to ask none the less. “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it Continue reading
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Sit With Me
“That’s called empathy,” I told my then three year old as I pointed to Frog sitting on the porch next to Toad who was feeling sad about never having got a letter. Frog and Toad Are Friends: The Letter is probably my favorite Frog and Toad story and I was trying to reign in my Continue reading
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His Presence
“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”Psalms 139:5 NLT Wounds that require stitches or sutures must be treated within 24 hours. Previous personal experience reminded me of this and a quick google search confirmed it so now you’re informed. But what if a doctor wasn’t confined Continue reading
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because
Because new life is breathed into us Because growth is abiding all we have to boast in is Christ. People praise God for the good, beautiful things we do because we let people close enough to see that it couldn’t come from us but the light in us. And we learn to accept encouragement and Continue reading
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Held
They wanted tea so I heated some water and they dipped their tea bags into their mugs. It was a hard morning so far. The two year old wanted to sit on my lap constantly and I was feeling overwhelmed by his need. I sang He Will Hold Me Fast to help calm myself from Continue reading
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When Doubt Doesn’t Equal Insecurity
Like many deep feeling/thinking introverts I’ve gone through my far share of seasons of doubt, confusion, and anger toward God. They used to make me so fearful. This last season was different, though. I stopped saying I was “questioning my faith.” I started being honest that I was questioning God’s character. I knew I had Continue reading
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Be Here
I followed the narrow foot trial down a little hill towards the woods. It was an overcast day – my favorite time to run. I listened to the worship music coming from the little mp3 player clipped to my shorts. I leaned forward and let gravity take me down the hill as another song began. Continue reading
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He Chose Relationship
My stomach turned as I drove through the little town. I glanced at the clock in my car and clenched the steering with my hand. So much for making a good impression and being on time. I pulled into the parking lot and there he was waiting outside for me. We had decided to meet Continue reading
The Worth Of Knowing 