As previously discussed here and here and here, life is hard. And it takes nothing away from God’s absolute goodness to say that. But, also, there are so many beautiful things in life. So many smiles from the Lord. So much tenderness. So many tiny and innumerable reasons for joy. The world is far more …
I am the daughter of pastors. I am the granddaughter of pastors. I am the great granddaughter of pastors. When I got married I was a pastor’s wife. I was soon after ordained and became a pastor myself. And now I am a Catholic. How does this happen? Well, I have shared about it in …
It is not so early in the morning on Bright Monday, but my house is still completely still. There is a deep sleep in the air, the kind you wear like a winter coat. It’s heavy with contentment. I am sitting here drinking my coffee and reflecting on the weekend, the culmination of Lent, and …
I have a complicated relationship with alcohol. I didn’t grow up with it at all. Never even had a sip until after I was married. Being married to an alcoholic for 20 years, you would think I would despise it and never have it around. But, it’s not alcohol’s fault. And I am still a …
Today is the best day of the year. It’s not a holy day of obligation and some theologian or clergy needs to sufficiently explain to me why. Nevertheless, it is the best day of the year. It’s the day of the Annunciation. The very day the Word took on flesh in the womb of the …
Life hacks. Kitchen hacks. Studying hacks. Gardening hacks. Budgeting hacks. What’s with all the hacks? Are there really any shortcuts when doing anything meaningful? And even if there were hacks, would I actually take them? As previously established, life is inherently inconvenient, but it is precisely that which makes it beautiful. We are all called …
This morning in liturgy the phrase “Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain” (I Timothy 6:6) hit me like a soft pillow to the face. For a moment, I felt like everything would be OK. I felt like at that very moment, should Jesus have given me a vibe check, I would have passed. …
When I’m worried and I can’t sleepI count my blessings instead of sheepAnd I fall asleep counting my blessings.. (White Christmas, 1954. If you can’t hear that in Bing Crosby’s voice we can’t be friends.) I like my job. Every day I cook meals and snacks for students who are in the pursuit of truth, …
In Genesis 33 we read the account of Jacob reconciling with Esau. If you remember, the brothers had had a major falling out due to a sold birthright (sold/stolen….potato/patahto) and blessing of the patriarch gone awry. Now after many years they would face one another again. The whole cohort was on the move—a pilgrimage let’s …
Need some reading and listening recommendations that are beautiful and thoughtful? I mean, you probably have your own recommendations, which you should send to me. In case you are interested in what is feeding my mind lately here you go. For reading: This book is gorgeous. The imagery is lovely and profound. I underlined and …
reconciling things 