Unity
-
moreThe Ultimate Girlfriend Gift
On Wednesday, May 08 th, 2013We threw stones first. I mean — after we’ve all been bloodied by stones, why not just start there? Effie Bryce sat near Nan Marlin. And Greta Vanderhoef and Darlene Finch, and 75 year-old Mrs. Margaret van Veen who led me to Jesus when I was a kid and the elderly Mrs. King who lives on the farm ...
-
moreHow to Live Through the Messy
On Wednesday, April 03 rd, 2013This? This is *right* where we are at this week: She asks me how it’s going. And I have to smile. And I tell her that there are pots on the stove and crumbs on the counters and yes, wherever we are, there’s always so much good and there are always hard things. ...
-
moreThe 1 Command that Could Resurrect the Church, Our Hurting Places & the Sisterhood of Women
On Wednesday, March 13 th, 2013There’s a reason He called us His Body and not His Estate.” That’s what Tib Pearson told me. Tib with his Red Wing workboots and worn John Deere hat and hands weathered and etched like a greying cedar rail. “A Body is connected with sinew and vein — and an estate is divided with fences and line.” He said it with his hands, the way a man of the land...
-
morewhat it means to have the miracle of a sister
On Tuesday, September 18 th, 2012Sisters make circles of time, a completing of sentences and memories and laughter, the past curving into now and you both know how it all rolls. A sister born friend, she turns all the inner worlds that won’t fit into words, into a deep knowing. From the moment I first cupped a woman child into me, I had always wanted this for her — a sister to round out her heart. ...
-
more
-
moreIf you’ve ever been wounded by women
On Wednesday, August 08 th, 2012The dark’s never bothered me much. It’s women who have scared me. Because women can haunt with shadows of their own. I don’t know what grade I was in when Alexa Richards* murmured to Judith Nolan* in the back of gym class that the whole school knew I’d likely end up in a loonie bin. But I know I vowed right then I’d hide from girl...
-
moreWhen the World gets Loud & Divisive
On Tuesday, May 22 nd, 2012Standing out there in the garden, all the spinach leaves offered up like bunches of bouquets there at her feet, she listened for the quiet. The corn grew in straight rows. The apple blossoms made promises. The irises unfolded bold hope. Roots would wait for rain. Seeds would be faithful to...
-
morewhen a man loves a woman
On Friday, July 15 th, 2011I watch you in the kitchen, slicing up a pie, July evening sloping gold across your face. How do you know the moment when you love someone the most? I used to think it was that wild moment of crazy grace when you asked for forever on Reesor’s sideroad and I laughed the wonder of yes. But then the babies came with the contractions and I really did think ...
-
moreHow Do We Really Treat Jesus?
On Wednesday, May 18 th, 2011In front of Mrs. Gillie’s entire grade six classroom, Kadie Miller* said I was butt-ugly. Did you pick out your own get-up today or did your butt-ugly mama dress you? Sandy Goetz* laughed. That afternoon when the bus doors cranked open and I was finally free, I ran up our gravel lane, and Lissa Turscott* slid down her bus window and whipped a baseball at me, smacking me ...
-
moreHow Hurting Women Can Help Each other Heal…
On Tuesday, April 26 th, 2011At the gate, flying to Portland today, to speak at the Q conference (oh, if He leads, if you’d lend this girl holding on to Jesus’ hand a few prayers, I’d be mighty grateful!) … and I’m sitting here remembering these words, and giving thanks for friends like you: my beautiful mama loving me deep & loving on our kids while I quietly share ...
-
moreThe Way to Feed a Hungry Heart:Letters about Serving with Words
On Tuesday, November 30 th, 2010My friend, Holley Gerth, and I have been talking about words and what they mean as we follow the Word made flesh… we invite you, our friends, to a series of letters between friends… Dearest Ann, Thank you for the words you sent my way last week in your first letter—I tucked them away in my heart like pebbles in my pocket. As we traveled the last few days I kept ...
-
moreA Brief Guide to Making Today a Great Day
On Tuesday, August 31 st, 2010Every day’s made a great day when we seize whatever the moment brings. When we cling to Grace and just laugh when things get tospy turvsy, when we find someone to share the ride and the adventure and the prayers, when the beauty of our journey is our destination. These are the moments made into days that ignite with...
