The spring before my wedding, I bought a peony plant. I’ve always loved peonies, and I dreamed of clipping the beautiful blooms from my own front yard to arrange in my bridal bouquet. It was a symbol of the hope and joy that was coming. As I nurtured and cared for the plant in preparation,…
A few months ago, before Covid-19 was our “new normal,” I shared a meme on Facebook that stated the following: Adulthood is saying, “But after this week, things will slow down a bit” over and over until you die. This silly little saying elicited quite a response. Fifty-two people gave it a thumbs-up, heart, or…
I have some very close friends who live far away. I hate the distance between us and how a coffee or a walk is generally impossible. However, I am thankful for technology and how we can meet every couple of weeks via video to catch up and do a biblical book study. During our most…
I recently succumbed to the flu, and for several days, all I could do was stay horizontal on my couch or bed while the aches, fever, and general dis-ease ran its course through my body. Any time I become that sick, I inevitably reach the point of wondering if I will ever feel normal, right,…
“He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” (Psalm 91:4 NIV) In January, the general consensus on the internet seemed to be that winter felt like it was taking forever—and not in a good way. In addition to several dreary, rainy, and…
This month I turn forty. I’ve never been one to care much about my age. I suspect that got filtered out early on, when the lunch ladies at school mistook me for a teacher (no-I-do-not-want-to-pay-the-staff-price-thank-you-very-much-I’m-sixteen) or “carded” me for the student discount at movies because they couldn’t believe I wasn’t a full-fledged adult. Fast-forward to…