Ascending Together
In my moments of great loss, I have often turned, alone and in hiding, to the Psalms of Ascent. They’re short. They cut straight through to my soul. They give me permission to cry out, forlorn, toward God—to show my hopelessness and my trust, my hunger for rescue, my angry energy at injustice, and also, finally, the exhausted peace of having been heard and finally being safe.
Choosing Rest over Resolutions
I used to feel guilty about my lack of resolve on January 1, but the older I get, the more I'm learning that it's OK if the rhythm of my life doesn't quite match up with the rest of the world's.
Repeat the Sounding Joy
These days are wildly busy, and it's easy to be overwhelmed by all the holiday parties and shopping lists and special programs and Christmas parades and seasonal decorating and gift giving that fills up our days. Decide now (before things get crazy) to make this season a joyous one. Embrace the wonder. Marvel in the mystery. Repeat the sounding joy.
Abound in Thanksgiving
Did you know that the Bible is full of the simple command to give thanks? Over and over again, from Old Testament to New, in good times and bad, the command rings out: “Give thanks to the Lord. He is good. His love endures forever.”
Rejoice Always. Even When it's Hard.
Choosing to rejoice anyway is one of the most powerful things that we can do to fight back against the enemy (who would like nothing more than to see us a defeated). It's a declaration of faith in God's goodness and faithfulness, despite all appearances to the contrary, and it's always good for us to declare his praise. Especially when our weary souls need to be reminded of his goodness.
A Lesson on Praying for Our Children
I was in my 40s when my grandmother, Jewel, died in her mid-90s. One of my strongest childhood memories was sleeping in the extra twin bed in her room and hearing her pray aloud for each family member by name before she went to sleep.
Beholding the Beautiful in the Brokenness
Sometimes the very thing our souls most need is to stop in the middle of the brokenness and dwell on a thing of beauty. To be reminded that for all that is wrong and broken in the world, there is also beauty and light and life.
Lord, Have Mercy
A constant prayer for these hard and heavy days. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Have mercy.
The Simple Rhythm that Gives Me Peace
It's easy to taste and see the goodness of God out there on my back porch every morning. After a spring that was far busier than I expected or planned for, believe me when I say that I'm appreciating the gift of slowing down for a while.
What's so good about Good Friday?
It's a contradiction, really, to speak of Good Friday as good. It is, after all, the day that Jesus died, and we don't usually think of death as a good thing. When's the last time you saw someone jumping for joy after a loved one died? Probably never.
The Cross Finds You
Given the option between a life of ease and a life of suffering, I'll take the the easy road every time. Yes please to the good life. Hard pass on the hardship. But Jesus isn't like me. He knew what was to come, and he walked toward it with eyes and arms wide open.
The Best Kind of Partnership
Most of our stockists are small local businesses committed to meeting needs and serving their people well. They have big hearts and great style, and we're grateful for each and every one of them.