Faith Jam
Broken Couches, Rice, and Joy
photo © 2010 Mike Hipp | more info (via: Wylio) Thursdays are usually FaithJam days around here. Bonnie, at the Faith Barista, hosts the Faith Jam and sends out a writing prompt for each week. This week’s is “joy.” Piece of cake, right? I mean, my blog name is “Joy in this Journey,” and my…
Read MoreSlowing Dinner Down
It has been 11 years since I’ve felt safe around open flame. Now that our youngest is finally old enough to grasp the concept of danger and pain, cause and effect, I finally feel safe lighting a candle on occasion. This Christmas, I burned some authentic evergreen candles on the fireplace mantle or in the…
Read MoreUnique
I settled into the corner of the couch, buried under the afghan, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. I was alone with my Bible and study book in the quiet dark of 5:30am. The chapter for the day was Psalm 139, the one with these recognizable verses: For you created my inmost being;…
Read MoreThirteen Years Ago
Thirteen years ago, I said “yes” on a bridge spanning an ice-framed creek. He had created a scavenger hunt of sorts. I was searching for Box #3 when he emerged from the creek bank with the box and a question I’d dreamed of for many years. We couldn’t imagine loving each other more than we…
Read MoreJoy Has No Armor
My nature is optimistic, hopeful, believing the best of people. But as I grow older, disappointing people and tragic circumstances eat away my joy like acid on fabric. Being joyful feels vulnerable, like standing naked, arms wide, as I shout, “I trust you not to take your best shot.” The world is bemused by joyful…
Read MoreThe Remedy for an Ingrown Soul
The One Word idea has really taken off this year. Ann Voskamp wrote about naming the year, and Alece at Grit and Glory has challenged everyone to choose and live a word this year. I have been thinking about this for a few weeks. At first, I was stuck in the past, thinking only of…
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