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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Sweet Silence
Five minutes of quiet. That is what we heard when my parents needed a break from us talking, usually in the car or at the dinner table. Sometimes the whole family would sit in silence, or we kids would be quiet, and my parents would have an opportunity to talk. Not something any kid wants…
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Living in the Middle
Crickets. Yes, I have been quiet for a while. But I have a good reason (other than the fact that every bug and virus has passed through our household this winter). When spring finally made its appearance, I thought we were in the clear. But, most of us were down for the count again last…
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Suffering Too Well?
This morning I really needed the baseball fields. I’m still learning how to relate to God in suffering, but the fields have helped the process. Could it be that we can try so hard to suffer well that we end up doing the exact opposite of our intention? In suffering, it is often muddled in…
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Wonders of His Love
We have had three ER visits for our children in the last two weeks. The agony of watching one’s child experience serious health complications is devastating. I would have done anything in those moments to spare my children. In the waiting of those three nights at the ER, I begged, pleaded, and even tried to…
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Weakness Perfected
“The weaker I am, the harder I must lean on God\’s grace; the harder I lean on him, the stronger I discover him to be, and the bolder my testimony to his grace.” This is a quote by Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic when she was 17. Now at 72, she has been…
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Anchor in the Storm
Imagine you are in a rowboat. It’s dark. The waves are crashing against the vulnerable vessel, and the wind is whipping your face. You’ve been battling this storm for nine hours now, and it seems like all hope is gone. And then you see someone walking on the water towards you. Not only are you…
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Hope that Doesn’t Disappoint
““You relied on the Lord,” they say. “Why doesn\’t he save you? If the Lord likes you, why doesn\’t he help you?”” (Psalm 22:8 GNT). If you are a follower of Jesus, you have probably received this message in one way or another. Whether it be a critic airing his opinion, or the enemy of…
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How Great the Exchange!
My spirit churned within me as I sat listening to my children practice their song for Easter Sunday. It wasn’t by coincidence they were given solos for this specific song. I was familiar with it, but the near absurdity of its goodness rang out loud and clear now. It sounded too good to be true,…
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The Greatest Romance
Valentine’s Day excites some but disappoints many. A day intended to celebrate the love received and given to those special to us can actually leave us wanting. Human love is imperfect and always will be. This isn’t reason not to celebrate love in human relationships. On the contrary, we should seek to grow in expressing and receiving…
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How’s Your Future Look?
Who wasn’t ready to be done with 2020? There were many clever slogans and statements closing the year… “Can we uninstall 2020 and install it again? This version has a virus.” “Has anyone tried flipping to the beginning of 2020 and choosing a different adventure?” “The only thing I gained in 2020 was weight.” “Wake…
Suffering Redeemed 