Healing
When They’re Too Far Away
When I heard a knock at the door, it seemed like an odd day and strange hour to have a visitor. As the only American in a small Croatian village, I became the target of local gypsies. They believed my nationality made me a millionaire and completely ignorant of their gypsy culture, beliefs, and humanitarian […]
Forest Of My Own Making
Jacob was not the only wrestler that preceded the WWF. As I pulled the red-colored digital thermometer out of my daughter’s mouth, my cheeks turned hot with tears. Her pediatrician’s warning echoed loud in my memory, “Do everything you can to prevent her getting this year’s influenza. It will attack her lungs and wreak havoc […]
When Pain Makes A Pact
A couple of months ago, I woke up from a physical ambush that let me know what bodily “collusion” looked like. My back and neck must have made some sort of clandestine agreement to pinch, stab, throb, send electrical shocks through arms and limbs, and conduct random bouts of numbness every time my mind slipped […]
The Beauty of Myrrh – A Tribute to Mary Barrett & My Pain Pals
Though it was late, I measured out a cup of laundry detergent and shoved the clothes robotically into our front loader. My mind was traveling through Africa, Washington, California, England, and other parts of the globe, smothering heaven with prayer requests. Lord, I am so burdened for _________. I can’t even imagine the suffering and […]
When Church Attendance Is “Critical”
I rolled my eyes at no one and went back to washing dishes. Though my eyes feasted on autumn splendor, muffled voices filled my ears and eclipsed the joy of what I was seeing. Many things can get this Irish blood percolating, but nothing like political debates. I have an easier time biting my lip […]
One Way To Hear God’s Heart Beat
Words I never dreamed I’d hear in all my twenties or thirties, I now enjoy from time to time in my late forties. But they often have come at a painful cost. “Mommy, just snuggle me.” Blink, blink. My shoulders dropped while a smile rose across my face. The request came with laundry in my […]
The Best Way to Stretch Out
Coffee has been rendered inoperative this morning. Even at higher doses, there is only so much a person can imbibe without crossing the line and fulfilling the definition of an “addict.” Nevertheless, after a few quick “dozes” through prayer, I opened the Word and found the Lord waiting. He didn’t mind the fog that permeated […]
