I hope to grow my very own fall pumpkin. But that hope requires me to water my plant and also keep people from mowing it down (an accident which really only happened once). The point is—I have to guard and nurture my pumpkin hopes. And then, in due time, I can enjoy the fruit of…
Tag: Hope
A Prayer of Lament
My original plan included ending with a prayer for joy. That prayer is coming. I do believe joy comes in the morning, but that generally means we live through the night first. God understands the human need to lament, and sometimes I rush past that part. It isn’t fun to weep, or grieve, or suffer.
On Hope
Imagine sitting at the first game of the season for your favorite basketball team. You hope they will have a good run. They haven’t played together before—it’s a new coach, mostly new players, old gym. You don’t know anything about the opposing team. But you are hopeful for a win. What kind of hope is…
Broken and Torn
A turbulent storm shred a tree branch from the trunk of a large tree in my neighborhood one night. Looking up, a huge expanse of raw wood seemed to cry out, “I’m exposed. I’m broken. Can you see what’s happened here?” The rest of the tree stood unmoved, still and strong. The roots were solid….
A Gallon of Water and God
Have you ever poured liquid quickly from a gallon jug to another container? At first, because of the jug’s small round opening, there is—for lack of a better word—“glubbing.” The water pours in glops that splash and then there is a smaller stream and then another glop. Eventually, you pour enough water out of the…
Fireworks and Freedom
I watched the fireworks last night. One child likened them to fairies. A different child called them missiles. As I watched the fire fall from the sky, I realized that in some ways they were both right. For so many of us, fireworks are almost a magical spectacle of dazzling light, a symbol of freedom,…
When Something is “Mostly Dead”
My girls had their annual dance recital this month, and their sweet daddy bought them both a bouquet of tulips. The flowers were in water, but being in the hot car for hours caused them to wilt. By the end of the long day, I had no hope of their recovery. My husband, though—he had…
He is Coming!
There is so much to look forward to at Christmastime. Santa, presents, the dawn of Christmas morning, the smell of roast beast in the oven, the sound of carols in the candlelight at Christmas Eve service. So much to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. And yet there is still more. One of my goals…
A Picture of What 