I get only what’s on the list. Gingerale and saltines to settle her stomach, a family sized box of cheerios and a gallon of milk so the kids can make their own breakfast if I’m tied up taking care of my mom. I toss a bunch of easy to make lunch stuff into the cart, things the kids can manage in a pinch. I grab some fruit and almond butter. We just have to make it until dinner. Our church fills in slots on the calendar to drop off casseroles and soups, crusty bread baked fresh in their ovens …
church
Living in Exile and Finding My Way Home
I. I've asked a lot of God lately. There was a time, not so long ago when my god was poor and mean. I had a theology built on suffering. A god who was always a bit out of reach for frail hands and weak prayers. He was the Jesus who taught righteousness through selling it all and giving to the poor. I thought that’s what he meant. I could find holiness if I just sacrificed enough. He was a god who was always teaching lessons like a wizened schoolmaster rapping his stick across knuckles as I …
The Gospel Lives: Fierce Love and the Cost of Grace
I saw a blog post the other day on Facebook. It was written by a new friend with a kindred heart. The picture accompanying it is familiar. It’s shown up in my stream and in posts and news articles all week. My eyes want to move away from it. I carry these things clumsily, my heart breaks so easily and some days all I have on my lips are the Psalms to ask why God? Sometimes I can't bring words out from the pain I see, only whispered prayers, "Jesus, we need you." Faith is my assurance that He …