Standing at the opening of the labyrinth on the grounds of Mt. Olivet Retreat Center, I stretch my arms outward. “Come, Holy Spirit. Show me what to write this week.” A flash in the sky draws my eyes upward. Just above me, riding a wind current, soars a Cooper’s hawk. The words come, unbidden: “I can teach you how to fly.” It’s not the first time I’ve heard these words from the … [Read more...]
“I Can Do All Things…”
Labor. I was encouraged to find a focus point during labor. I chose a favorite verse in the bible: “I can do all things through Him who strengthen me.” Philippians 4:13. I had no idea it would become one of my favorite life verses and most relied upon ones, too! Labor was difficult. Labor was long. Our son, some months later was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a few years later began … [Read more...]
Share Your Resolution So You Get Help and God Gets Glory
"What's your New Year's Resolution?" It's that time again. Everyone is asking. Some of us ignore them. Some of us have different ones every year. And some of us, who shall remain nameless, have the same one lose weight year after year. In the last couple of years we really struggled with some behavior issues with our son, Evan. We had no choice but to become quite open about them. People were … [Read more...]
The Nature of Things
At 9:30 in the morning, the small swish of paper brushing across my bedroom’s wooden floor woke me. My husband Matt was at the Ravens game with some friends. There had been an early curtain call for the pre-game frivolity, so he’d been gone for some time. The night before had been a late one, and I’d overslept. Meaning, I was already frustrated. Unless there’s a nuclear winter and all the alarm … [Read more...]
Late and Sleepless in Cleveland!
You might find it odd that one of my favorite verses in scripture is Proverbs 31:18b which says (about the proverbial) Proverbs 31 woman, “Her lamp does not go out at night.” I figured this woman had energy! I’ve also figured out that she must have been tired at times because “she looks well to the way of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (vs. 27). She must’ve been doing … [Read more...]
Is He Missed?
Is he missed? When we can't attend the parties, the get-togethers, sporting events, or even church, is Evan missed? There are many times we are unable to attend so many events because we know they are just fuel to Evan's behavioral fire. They could send him out of control and may cause an unfortunate situation. They are usually very over-stimulating for him. Just being out of his normal routine … [Read more...]