Nobody puts this one on a t-shirt. We've seen "Blessed" on farmhouse signs and coffee mugs and tote bags all over Pinterest. But I have yet to see anyone screen-print "Blessed are those who mourn" across their chest and head out the door. And yet here we are. Beatitude number two. Jesus is not finished... Continue Reading →
The Upside-Down Path to Joy
I sat at my kitchen table with my Bible open, a cup of coffee going cold beside me, and a women's retreat to prepare. The Beatitudes. Easy enough, I thought. I'd taught these before. Studied them. I basically had this one in the bag. And then I read them again. Something shifted quietly, the way... Continue Reading →
When December Holds Both Joy and Grief
There's something about December. Maybe it's the twinkling lights that make the darkness feel darker. Maybe it's the cheerful carols that amplify the silence left by loss. Or maybe we simply notice death more in December because we expect this month to be filled with life—with celebration, family, and joy. My mother-in-law passed away in... Continue Reading →
