The Man in the Van

I've been silent lately, more so than ever in the past, on my various blogs. Part of this is the lurking feeling that everything that can be said about 2020 has been said: COVID virus, race riots, murder hornets. I'm waiting for Godzilla to rise from the Sea of Japan and a sharknado to arrive…

Holding the Father’s Hand – Salesian Thought

Trusting the will of God is an important aspect of Salesian thought. My morning meditation today came from the book Set Your Heart Free - 30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher (St. Francis de Sales). I'll link to it at the end. Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,…

When St. Francis de Sales Found Me

What is Salesian spirituality? It's a life-changing spiritual approach that's part of the Catholic mystical tradition. It follows the direction of one of the doctors of the faith, St. Francis de Sales. He's my patron, my spiritual guide, my guru. And, not coincidently, he's the patron saint of writers. He chose me as his daughter…

An Advent Wreath Just Like Me

"Not that old thing." My husband frowned at the tarnished brass ring. Foil fluttered from one of the four candle holders, a remnant of Advents past and my attempt to keep a candle in place. They never fit well in the cups. "Can't you buy a new one?" "This was my mom's." "I know, but..."…

The Best Present of All – Presence

Our breath spangled the frosty December evening as we waved goodbye. My dog, Zeke, dropped, exhausted, to his mat in the living room to dream of chasing tennis balls and his best friend, our neighbors' boxer dog, Cinder. We'd spent a good two hours watching the dogs zoom like maniacs across the lawn chasing balls…

The Gifts that He Gives

My husband held the bird's nest out to me. "Feel the inside." I reached out and touched the tiny nest gingerly. "It's soft." "The inside is lined in some soft moss," he said. "And the outside is woven of coarse pine needles." I marveled at the perfect construction of the little bird's nest. We'd watched…

Spiritual Growth Requires Springs of Living Water

Our spiritual growth requires abundant springs of living water. What should we do when the well runs dry?   As a transplant myself, I appreciate how hard it is to take root and grow in new soil. I should have recognized the signs of transplant shock in the redbud tree - and offered some salve,…

When Church Means Pain, What’s a Parent to Do?

Families with children diagnosed with autism, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities need their church families. But churches are ill-equipped to welcome them. I’m embarrassed to admit this. I never thought about what it must be like to take a child with a hidden disability to church.   From my spot among the choir, I’ve watched…

Miracles Are All Around Us

Miracles are all around us if we just slow down enough to stop, look, and listen. Most of us are rushing so much we're trapped in our own thoughts. We barely get out of our own way long enough to recognize something beautiful. To recognize a God-moment in our lives takes practice but once you…

A Pilgrimage to Walton’s Mountain

For my 50th birthday this year, I made a list. It's not a bucket list. It's not a list of things I want. It's a list of things to do, adventures to experience, and places to explore this year. It's a list of short day trips to get me out of the house and exploring…