“Mom, I’m okay, I wasn’t involved, but the police want you to come pick me up.” My heart races at this rush of words through the telephone. Teen and two other boys had permission to spend a summer night at another friend’s house. He has a game room and they wanted to play late into the night. Teen … Continue reading Garage
Tag: friends
C’mon Over
My fiesty fun friend burst through the front door with cheers and hugs and an armful of flowers. She turned the corner and stopped short: "WHAT happened to your house?? It's, it's so clean!" Less than 48 hours earlier, we'd had friends over - in preparation I had cleaned for two days. Family entropy hadn't yet reclaimed its … Continue reading C’mon Over
Help. Thanks. Wow.
Anne Lamott, or as others call her, St. Anne, claims that the Essential Prayers sound this simple: Help. Thanks. Wow. I have prayed many, many words over many, many years, but I’m not sure I could come up with a prayer, petition, or praise that wouldn’t fit those three categories: help, thanks, wow. Other than … Continue reading Help. Thanks. Wow.
Let it Be
Last week God gave me a miracle of closure. Almost a year ago, a long-time friendly acquaintance, a would-be friend had we shared greater proximity in the time we've known one another, well, she threw me under the bus. She observed and entirely misunderstood an encounter I had with someone else. Instead of talking to me, she … Continue reading Let it Be
Thankful Thursday – Sweet Friends
A week ago I was asked: If you could spend one day with someone - celebrity/historical figure/anyone - who could help you grow in your vocation, who would it be? I write, so my mind easily wandered to writers. But I'm also easily intimidated. I don't want to spend time with someone too in/famous who would have me too quickly tongue-tied-tripping over … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Sweet Friends
The Church: Traveling Together
What seems like a bazillion years ago, I participated in a high school marching band (sorry, no humiliating pictures available - I did look, I promise). Before freshman year, I registered to be the pianist/accompanist for Beginning Orchestra; unbeknownst to me, everyone quit and the band director transferred me to Marching Band. And the trombone, because the … Continue reading The Church: Traveling Together
Sari, Not Sorry
A couple months ago our church had a women's retreat. I'm a little funny about gender exclusive events and wasn't sure I'd go until I opened my mouth to invite others to join me. And then the organizer asked if I would model a sari in the fashion show. Why a fashion show? would be a great … Continue reading Sari, Not Sorry
“Living and Lingering in Love”
My intention in starting this blog was to chronicle the places and times my eyes caught a glimpse of the Divine among the mundane. So where I have seen God this week? In too many ways to count, actually! Last Monday I led a devotional for a church ministry leadership team. We've been reading a … Continue reading “Living and Lingering in Love”
Mexico: A Quick Glimpse
Amor Ministries has been organizing groups to build houses in Mexico for 30 years. Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church has been taking high school students and adults to build houses in Mexico during spring break for 25 years. Pastor Dave knows just how life-changing this experience can be - he has spent spring break building homes in Mexico since he … Continue reading Mexico: A Quick Glimpse
Mommy Guilt
Sometimes the person we need to forgive, the one most in need of the gift of grace, is ourselves. We need to release our own guilt. A few years ago I had the opportunity to speak to moms of preschoolers on social/emotional development. As I reflected on my children during the preschool years, the topic … Continue reading Mommy Guilt