It is almost two months since my new book Beauty in the Ashes: Learning to Lament was released. I have tried to start this blog post a number of times since then, but the emotions have been so large, and the words have been so elusive that it would not settle into anything cohesive. Like … Continue reading Some thoughts after releasing a book
I have spent this weekend with an amazing group of women on a writing retreat. We all arrived at the tiny monastery town with our journals and our laptops, our fears and our expectations. We spent the weekend writing, chatting, and walking around the beautiful peace-filled grounds of New Norcia. And then on the last … Continue reading Beauty in the Ashes
The trees are darkand closing in You don’t know howyou found yourselfhere but you did You are tiredyou stumbleand overcome by exhaustionslump to the ground The reality of lifeis overwhelmingthere is no clearpath aheadjust this placein these woodsin the gloom May you knowthat it is okayto find yourselfhereon the forest floor May you not rejectyour … Continue reading In the midst
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” Matthew 28: 17 (NIV) There is a habit of behaving that comes from a time of pain and sorrow. There is a pattern of fear, a constant belief that things will collapse.When we have been through a trial and something has gone wrong, there is … Continue reading Easter Monday: Grace for the Doubter
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see … Continue reading Easter Sunday: Grace for the Fearful
"Take a guard,” Pilate answered, “Go make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.Matt 27:65-66 (NIV) This is the day after the death. Jesus has been placed in the tomb, and Pilate and the Pharisees … Continue reading Easter Saturday: Grace for the Entombed