Last week, my husband and I packed our three children into the minivan to make a two-day trek to Florida. After escaping frozen Minnesota, our van hurtled down the highway slicing through Iowa's brown farm fields. The sun, still golden, dipped closer to the horizon. Dark grey clouds cloaked most of the sun's fading light. … Continue reading Presence
"You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?" ~ John 11:25-26 (MSG) I am, right now, Resurrection … Continue reading A Resurrection Story
A few weeks back, I wrote about finding myself living in the ellipses- the ". . ." - a time in-between what was and what is to come. I struggle with the slowness of this time. I have a feeling that I am not alone. Have you found yourself in an in-between time--that space between … Continue reading Leaning into the Wait
Sometimes, people of faith like to refer to themselves or to others who hold the "right" kind of faith as believers. This descriptor seems inadequate. I don't feel comfortable or right when I try it on. But this story of faith grabs me. It could be my story. A sea of people stood between me … Continue reading A Desperate Faith
It is time for some deep-cleaning. Last week, I was an irritable mess. My house was a mess. I felt overwhelmed. "Don't ever buy anything ever again!" I almost yelled at my husband. "No milk? No eggs?" he replied. "You know what I mean." I snapped. I threatened to throw everything in the house away. … Continue reading Beyond the Symptoms: From decluttering to mindful social media consumption
This poem arrived last week. I'm just starting to understand why I needed it. Rumi said: "Poetry holds its meaning loosely, like a rock in a sling. We let fly. The rest is out of our control." I think I'm also just starting to get what that means. Just fly. Just fly. An eagle soars: held … Continue reading Just Fly
I am grateful to be writing for At River's Edge this week. Here is a peek: Growing up as a girl born Baptist, Easter was something that we celebrated with triumphant music, Easter-egg hunts, and ham. We were excited for Easter, but Easter always caught me by surprise. Maybe it snuck up on me because I … Continue reading A Baptist Discovers Lent
"It was going to be one of Rabbit's busy days. As soon as he woke up he felt important, as if everything depended upon him." -- A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner "I'll go and see if there's anything [Christopher Robin] wants doing, and then I'll do it for him. It's just the day … Continue reading Trading Importance for Infinite Worth
Recently, I opened up a magazine from my alma mater to peek at the section of class news. I was happy for those who are making partner and who are accomplishing great things in the world. But standing in the kitchen in my pajamas instead of in a downtown office with a twenty-mile view, I … Continue reading Living in the Ellipses ( you know, the . . . )
You're fired. Both of you. Disappointed God voice and unrelenting critic. You may both go because you are not real, and you are not speaking truth or life. You make me wilt, shrivel up, and hide. Now, maybe a disappointed, angry God can transform your heart and mind and life into something beautiful. You and I may be very different, and that is okay. Shame, fear, and guilt--whether God-induced or critic-induced--don't breathe life into my soul. They might influence my behavior for a while, but shame, guilt, and fear are not transforming me or healing me.
Jessica Sanborn 