Short reflections on walking with Jesus through chronic illness, grief, and the daily work of suffering well. New posts occasionally; older posts always available.
Reflections on faith, suffering, and hope for the journey.
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In Sickness and in Health
I looked over the beautiful arrangement of roses, but instead of feeling joy, anger and disappointment rose in my heart. Seventeen years of marriage, but we were in no condition to celebrate. We took the vows “in sickness and health” on our marriage day. We’ve covered the “in sickness” but have yet to look forward…
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Fearless
I would love to be fearless. After so many years of fighting fear, it seems I should be a champion at it by now—but I am far from that. The neuropathy that has been in my feet and calves for seven years now has been creeping up my thighs over the last week, causing more…
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Thanksgiving by Faith
Sometimes God speaks to us about a thing until we get it. There have been many ways recently in which God has spoken to me about thanking Him for answers to my prayers before receiving them—and this morning it was literally a message on my tea bag. I usually drink my tea while running around…
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Faithful in the Little
“Are you sick? Has the vigor you felt in the bright days of health failed? Are you suffering pain, weariness, or exhaustion? Are you house-bound? Are you so restricted that there is little you can do? You wish that you would serve the Lord. You dream of that pleasure, but you are denied the privilege.…
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Sitting on a Shelf
I was talking to a lovely friend recently, and she told me that God has her “sitting on a shelf.” She went on to explain that this placement is about as uncomfortable as it sounds. She doesn’t like sitting, waiting, not doing. But sometimes, that is just where God wants us. And that is where…
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Your Gentleness Made me Great
I love the gentleness of mornings. The sun, making its 24-hour debut, is subtle, and its warmth pleasant. The day’s heat and humidity are trailing behind, allowing the summer morning hours to feel fresh and mellow. The occasional chirping of birds and murmuring of crickets allow the ears to tune up slowly after the quietude…
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Progress and Process
“Hurry up; we’re going to be late!” My words hit my ears with conviction as I hastily tie Hannah’s soccer cleat. I had resolved some time ago to try and abstain from those words—hurry up. But now is not the time to ponder this. I pick up Judah to bring him to the car and…
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Embrace the Imperfect
Embrace the imperfect. These words came to mind as I spent time waiting on God in listening prayer yesterday. Everything in me resisted the impression these words held. Being a perfectionist, I am the first to acknowledge how imperfect I am and how frustrating it can be to constantly fall short of an impossible standard.Whether…
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Quiet Quit
One Sunday morning, I was reading Psalm 119, and my heart churned within me. Line after line, verse after verse, brought words of truth, conviction, and hope. “I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that is faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to…
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Let Your Little Light Shine
Esther and Hannah were building one of their ever-creative forts when we heard a sharp cry from the living room. Ben rushed in to find that Esther had stepped down from a wicker basket onto a toy car and twisted her ankle and foot. After hours of ice, pain meds, and comfort, we brought her…
Suffering Redeemed 