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Circle of Women

“Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31

I have a magazine subscription that is a splurge in my life. The path that led to this magazine started with stumbling upon a podcast. I am not sure how I found Radio Cherry Bombe. It could have been an Instagram post, another podcast, or a chef I was curious about. But somehow, in 2021, I started to listen to host Kerry Diamond interview women in the food industry. These interviews exposed me to the ingenuity of women despite barriers and how camaraderie and collaboration helped women become more successful. It was more than the delightful aprons created by Ellen Bennet for Hedley & Bennet, or the celebrations that Elisa Sunga hosted with her Cake Picnic. It was coming together as women, recognizing the obstacles that have held us back, and moving towards the future where women can be creative, lead, and live fully.

Last Sunday, I prayed with three young women. Our pastor instructed us to pray over one another a blessing of some sort for their future lives. I had been sitting behind the three young women in church, watching them interact with one another. Laughing, worshipping, and praying, I saw them connected in a way only tween/teen girls can be. They giggle at the same things, pretend disdain at adults’ attempts at humor, share heartbreaks and challenges with one another, and love each other fiercely. They are on the brink of womanhood, with so many dreams, goals, and ideas. When I came up to them, I didn’t have anything profound to say that spoke to their future. Instead, I felt led to bless their friendship and ask God to help them be hospitable whenever new tweens/teens entered the group. I prayed that God would help them enlarge their circles despite their strong connections. After a group hug, I felt as blessed as I hoped my prayer would be for them.

When I became a Christian, I was one of the outsiders coming into a group of friends that shared a history. They all attended a small Christian school while I attended public school. They could all sing beautifully and even had matching outfits for a vocal ensemble they were competing in. When I sang, it was less than harmonious. Yet, despite their connections, they were able to invite me to be a part of their group. I never felt like an outsider. They celebrated my wins and helped shape the woman I am today. Today, I am still in a relationship with two of these women, our friendship spanning almost 40 years.

This past Sunday was International Women’s Day. It was affirming to see women across different industries celebrating other women in their industry. Reese Witherspoon paid tribute to other actresses, Ina Garten honored Julia Child and Martha Stewart, along with other women who “were fabulous chefs and food writers.” Other women praised their moms, aunts, and teachers who made an impact on their lives.

In this post, I wish I could list all the women who inspire me. From my aunts to my sisters, to my oldest friends, to my daughter and daughter-in-law, to my newest friends, to my co-workers, to my volunteers, to all the young women in my life—you are all amazing! I hope to always be your biggest cheerleader, to sit by your side when life is hard, and to advocate for you when life seems unfair. Thank you for being amazing women, and let’s continue to make this world a better place for all women!

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Salty

“Ye are the salt of the earth…” Matthew 5:13

In general, I feel confident about walking into new spaces. I love to meet new people, and I thrive on hearing their stories. Today feels a little different. I am writing and sending this piece into a space where I am not sure how it will be received by some readers. I read some of the comments you have made and the posts you have shared on social media. I have had conversations with some of you, only to later find out I was labeled in a way meant to be derogatory. But as much as I feel slightly apprehensive about what I am about to say, as a Christian, I need to respond to some current events. So, bear with me, read every word, think about it before you respond, and if you are a believer, take your thoughts in prayer to God. And if you have done all these things, feel free to have a conversation with me.

As a young reader, I often looked across my mother’s bookshelves to see if I could read something new. She had an eclectic book collection, including Animal Farm by George Orwell, Roots by Alex Haley, and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. Among her books was a worn copy of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, the story of a Jewish girl hiding in the Netherlands under Nazi occupation. In the book, Anne ponders the meaning of life while hiding. She penned, “In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart.” She wrote, “Those who have courage and faith shall never perish in misery.” I remember sobbing as I finished the book, knowing that Anne didn’t make it out safely and died in a concentration camp. It was my first conscious moment of knowing that whole groups of people could be persecuted because of their status: whether it was their color, religion, country of origin, or gender.

As I became a Christian, I learned more about how Christians like Corrie ten Boom and Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood up against the Nazis during the holocaust. Bonhoeffer’s words challenged me: “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice; we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” I wondered, given the opportunity, would I stand up for a marginalized group of people like they did, or would I sit back like the countless masses, ignoring atrocities right before my eyes. Deep in my heart, I feared I might be a coward.

Today, I am standing up for immigrants, a group of marginalized people in the United States. Let me state unequivocally: I believe in strong borders. Just like I lock my door at night, I believe we should have borders where we are aware of who is coming into our country from all sides. But with those borders, we need to reform our current immigration laws so that it makes it easier for people to enter our country legally. We, who sit on the sidelines, need to educate ourselves on the policies of what it means to be a migrant, asylum seeker, immigrant, and refugee. For example, according to US immigration law, to seek asylum, a person must first enter the United States and then apply for asylum once they get here. The problem with this idea is that they are considered “illegal” by some until asylum is granted. For these asylum seekers, it can often be years before their cases can be decided.

My own views of immigration have been shaped by advocate Bri Stensrud, Director of Women of Welcome and former employee of Focus on the Family. Bri came to understand immigration when challenged about her pro-life beliefs by a colleague. Bri was asked if she believed in dignity for all life, including immigrants. Bri did a deep dive both into the Bible and into our past and current immigration laws. As a Christian, she was convinced that the Bible spoke to this issue. Throughout the Bible, scripture admonished people of faith to support families and individuals who leave countries for desperate situations in hopes of leading a better life. Her conviction led to starting a nonprofit, Women of Welcome, where Christians could start conversations about immigration and find ways to support immigrants in our communities. Her book, Start with Welcome, is one of the most influential books I have read in the last five years.

I have been following what has been going on in Minnesota, and my heart grieves for these people. As a nation, we have quickly trained a group of people to act as immigration enforcers (ICE). In previous administrations, it took 5-6 months before a person was considered properly trained for ICE. Now training is completed in 8 weeks. I have so many questions. Why are we fast-tracking individuals to hold a firearm in highly volatile situations? Are we pairing them with more seasoned ICE officials who have learned how to successfully de-escalate these situations?

Why are we creating a fear-based culture, where ICE officials are showing up at schools, following buses, and detaining anyone with brown or black skin? I understand the need to arrest those who are criminals and start the process of deportation. But we are a country of law; we have processes where we can legally deport them, not detain a 5-year-old and use him as bait to get to his dad. Thank God he has been returned to his home in Minnesota.

Another good question: how did Christians respond to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti? Personally, I was horrified seeing two people made in the image of God, shot and killed right before my eyes from many different camera angles. Yet the response from many was that they had no business protesting or that they were instigating the shooting. I have no doubt that ideology shapes how people interpret what they saw in the multiple videos. Furthermore, it will also be shaped by the algorithms of where people get their news. But as a Christian, I need to show the same disgust and horror I felt when Charlie Kirk was killed as I do when Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed. I should also stand against any comment in favor of any of these killings, including ones made by the vice president and the ICE official who shot Good and called her a derogatory name.

I am all for peaceful protests, and for the most part, that is what is happening in Minnesota. Individuals are marching in the streets protesting ICE. They are working as a community to help protect families who are too scared to get their groceries or take their kids to school. Some of these frightened people have the proper papers but are afraid they will be detained anyway. And for good reasons. Over 100 refugees who have been vetted under US immigration law have been detained, sent to Texas, and, if released, left to their own means to get back to Minnesota. Christian churches that welcome immigrants have empty pews because the Trump administration has authorized ICE to enforce immigration policy while people worship in churches, hospitals, and schools since early 2026. Yes, one group did unlawfully protest inside a church because one of its pastors worked for ICE. The protest was ugly, and I agree, we should not be protesting in a place of worship. But we also should show the same disdain when our government is encouraging ICE to raid hospitals, schools, and churches.

I could go on and on. But I want to close with scripture for readers to ponder. I encourage you to go to Bri Stensrud’s Instagram page, listen to the Russell Moore podcast titled What Happens When You Look Away From the Minneapolis Shootings, and pray. For me, my heart breaks for what is happening in Minneapolis. And I hope if ICE comes to Carlisle, I will stand up and do the right thing—because all life matters!

  • ‘They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless. They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.” Psalm 94:6-7 NIV
  • “I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.”’ Job 29:16 NIV
  • ‘“Cursed is anyone who obstructs the legal rights of immigrants, orphans, or widows.” All the people will reply: “We agree!”’ Deuteronomy 27:19 CEB
  • “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20 ESV
  • “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Matthew 25:35 ESV

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Snow and Plows

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11 ESV

One of the benefits of living in Carlisle is that we no longer have to take care of a yard. It also means the HOA takes care of all snow removal, including shoveling our walk and driveway. Honestly, I did not mind shoveling. But weather forecasters predicted bitter cold to follow the snow, and I was relieved to know neither Terry nor I would have to deal with the ice-clad snow.

Monday morning, I was still dreaming of snow-covered landscapes and hot coffee when I heard shovels scraping pavement outside my bedroom window. Next, what I assumed to be a Bobcat with a plow groaned while pushing snow across our cul-de-sac. I heard Terry rustling and asked if he thought the noise was plowing. He stood up and confirmed the grating noise was indeed the landscaping crew working hard to clear the driveway. I lifted my phone and the time 5:28am swam into view. I started to grumble and caught myself before uttering a complaint. Instead, I verbally reminded myself to choose gratefulness and contentment.

Throughout my writing, I have repeatedly stated that contentment is the most important trait one can develop. It is not something that people are naturally born with. Instead, it is what Paul refers to as a secret in Philippians 4:11. He says, “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” This is not a top-secret clearance message Paul received from God. Rather, it was something Paul also needed to cultivate in his own daily life.

Paul’s name may have changed after conversion, but his personality did not. This man was recorded as being zealous in his belief that the people who followed Jesus were committing blasphemy. He was on his way to Damascus to hunt them down when God spoke to him. Like most new believers, Paul may have been ready to jump to the streets to share about his encounter with God. Instead, the Bible records that he spent 3 years praying and studying the life of Jesus. I can imagine Paul thinking to himself after 2 months, I am ready. But instead, God clearly had another plan in mind. He waited another month and inquired of God whether he was ready. But just like a child who asks if we are there yet, Paul was repeatedly denied and waited for God to release him. This gave Paul time to learn contentment in God’s plan, not giving in to his zealous nature to take on the cause of Christ.

This waiting time helped Paul learn how to manage challenging situations later in life. His ministry reached the greater part of the known world at the time. He was welcomed by some communities, while in others he was chased out of town. Paul was whipped, stoned, and shipwrecked. At the time of his letter to the Philippians, he was in a Roman prison. Yet, after Paul stated he had learned to be content, he continued to say in verse 13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

For me, contentment is not based on my bank balance, the vacations I do or do not take, or whether I am having a good hair day (curly, frizzy hair is a real issue in this current season of life). Instead, I have to trust God daily to supply my needs, and I try to express gratitude in all circumstances. I recognize I come from a place of privilege; I have shelter, food, clothes, and healthy relationships. But Paul was in some terrible situations where he didn’t have his basic needs being met, and he still chose to pursue contentment. I only pray that I can do the same.

This week has been super cold with temperatures dropping below zero. It reminds me of Wisconsin, and it is the first time that I have not been homesick for my lake. It would be easy to fall into the trap of complaining about the bitter cold, wishing I were basking in the sun. So, I bundle up in warm sweaters and cozy socks, and drink warm beverages. I continue to curl up on the couch with extra throws while reading by the glow of my fireplace. And I remember daffodil season is only two short months away.

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Christmas Genes 1: Tamar

“She is more righteous than I am,” Genesis 38:26

I remember the first time I felt “othered”. I knew from little on I was not the same as my siblings; we didn’t have the same father, and my bone structure and the tone of my skin were disparaged by him. But this feeling of being “othered” was different than my daily experience. It was the last day of second grade, I loved school, and I was excited to read fluently. I don’t remember stealing the candy bar; I just remember the teacher asking me if I had taken an extra birthday treat. I remember denying it and feeling a wave of guilt, but the chocolate smear on my face gave me away. Lifting my desk, she saw the evidence, a crumpled wrapper. She gave me a note to take home. Handing it to my father, he sneered with disgust immediately. Despite normally being an obedient child, he instantly found a way to publicly humiliate me. He told my siblings I was a thief, and for the next two weeks, made me stay inside while the rest played outside. That summer, I wore my first scarlet letter.

Feeling “othered” is a universal feeling among women. Whether or not we are athletic enough, fit societal standards of beauty, or are talented enough in certain areas, at some point in our lives, we don’t feel like we measure up or fit in. Misty Copeland, principal ballerina for the NYC Ballet Company, despite her raw talent, faced scrutiny by critics that she didn’t have the “right look” for a ballerina. Oprah Winfrey was told she needed to lose weight by Joan Rivers. Jamie Lee Curtis was typecast as a horror actress and worked hard to find different roles for herself in Hollywood. The list goes on and on.

There are several Tamars in the Bible. The account of this Tamar takes place in Genesis 38. Judah’s mother, Leah, could never win her husband’s favor, even after the birth of three sons. Finally, after her fourth son was born, she decided to focus on the favor of God, naming her son Judah, which meant “I will praise the Lord.” Judah married a Canaanite woman and gave birth to a son, Er. She also gave birth to two other sons. Later, Judah arranged for Er to marry Tamar. Immediately, the Bible records that “Er was wicked” and the Lord took his life. Some commentaries point out how close this followed his marriage, believing that it might have something to do with how he treated Tamar.

In most of the world at that time, widows were left to fend for themselves. They often had to return to their father’s home and remain single for the rest of their lives. Hebrew law made provisions for the widows and for the lineage of the deceased husband. It involved the widow marrying her deceased husband’s brother. Judah arranged for Tamar to marry his second son, Onan. Displeased with this arrangement, Onan treated Tamar like a prostitute, ensuring she wouldn’t get pregnant. God was disappointed with Onan’s treatment of Tamar and took his life as well.

Judah secretly blamed Tamar for the death of his two sons. He never sought God, who may have led him to the truth about his sons’ wickedness. Instead, he led Tamar to believe that once his third son, Shelah, grew up, he would give Tamar to him in marriage.

So, Tamar, twice widowed, was sent back to her father’s house. I can’t imagine how othered she must have felt. Women her age were married and giving birth to children. Instead, she probably went to the market, with people whispering about how she was either unlucky or evil, causing the death of two husbands. Years went by, and Tamar got to see everyone else’s life flourish, while she sat on the sidelines, watching life pass her by.

Names were important in the Bible, and “Tamar” meant date palm. Date palms symbolize righteousness and vitality. Dates have a lot of nutritional value, including lowering bad cholesterol, being packed with Vitamin B, and helping balance the digestive tract. Because of their high sugar content, they require a lot of energy to grow the 200-300 dates in a season. Thus, they need to grow together and get a lot of water to flourish.

After a while, Tamar realized that Judah had no intention of honoring his word. By this time, she was probably aware of the promises given to Judah’s great-grandfather, that the one true God called this group of people into a covenantal relationship with him. She was tired of being othered and she was desperate to be a part of this Godly heritage. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute, the very thing that Onan had treated her like. She seduced her father-in-law and held his seal as a promise of payment.

Judah later heard that his daughter-in-law was pregnant. In his mind, this confirmed his preconceived notion of Tamar. His immediate response was to have her burned. As they were taking her out to be killed, Tamar let them know that the father of her unborn child was the person who owned the seal she held. Judah recognized it as his own immediately and declared, “that she was more righteous than I.”

The story goes on to say that Tamar gave birth to twins. The midwife saw one of the babies’ hands reach out, and she quickly tied a scarlet thread onto the wrist, declaring this was the firstborn. This was important because he would inherit all the rights of the firstborn. But Perez pushed back his brother and came out first, with his name meaning “breaking out.” Perez’s name was more significant than breaking out first from his mother’s womb. Biblically, he was given the honor of the covenantal lineage, over his older brother Shelah. The Bible doesn’t say why, but Judah hinted at this when he declared Tamar’s righteousness over his own.

Today, women respond in one of two ways when feeling othered. Like Tamar, some women take matters into their own hands to get the outcome they desire or deserve. But it is interesting that Matthew doesn’t tell just Tamar’s story in the lineage. He includes three other women as well. This could point to the other way women can handle feeling othered. Women can collaborate with other women, bind together with supportive men, and change the false narratives of society. I have seen women athletes champion all women across different sports. I see it when writers encourage other women to write and mentor them along the way. I see it in the church when older women mentor younger women to grow in godliness and character.

I want to reiterate that date palms only flourish when well-watered and in community with other date palms. Jesus wants women to flourish well in healthy spiritual communities that support all women: single, married, widowed, or divorced. He created women to have all different personalities: some are bold, while others are quiet. He created women of all different shapes and sizes. He created women to express their creativity in different talents. And all these women should be celebrated and treated like valuable members of the community, not only by other women, but by men as well, especially those who are spiritual leaders.

How does one gauge the healthiness of their community? A good place to start is to ask the women in your circle if they feel “othered.” Only ask this question if you are willing to suspend judgment and exercise curiosity. The answers may surprise you, and you may find yourself challenged to be more supportive of women. Judah quickly saw the folly of his own judgment and declared Tamar’s righteousness without blame-shifting. Next, ask God to help you see women the way Jesus sees women. Finally, start implementing changes in how you speak to and about women in general and work towards creating a more inclusive environment.

In the Christmas story, Matthew ensured for eternity that Tamar would no longer be “othered.” I am forever grateful for that!

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Chirstmas Genes: Intro

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

My husband loves investigating his genealogy. After subscribing to Ancestry.com, he learned that his Scottish family arrived in the US in the mid-1700s. Further back, he discovered that his ancestors lived in a castle and he is distantly related to England’s Queen Camilla. Less than two weeks later, he also found that one of his more recent ancestors was convicted of murder.

Learning about your ancestry can help people feel rooted. Reading the names of my own indigenous relatives helped me connect with my biological father’s family in unexpected ways. I even discovered some more siblings. Some people prize these roots so much that infamous people are cut out of their family trees. It is as if their entire existence is erased because their relatives don’t want the family tree marred by a rotten branch.

I went to the same high school that my mom and her siblings attended. Because I had my mother’s maiden name, the high school principal, Mr Havey, asked if I was related to Dennis and Dave Walter. My twin uncles were amazing men, but had a reputation for being a bit mischievous in high school. Quite often, Mr Havey would call my grandmother to report on their escapades. I replied yes to his question but quickly reminded him I was also related to Kenny and Debbie Walter, my uncle and aunt, who were much more studious. I wanted him to know who I identified with as a high school student.

For the next few weeks, I will be writing about the genealogy of Jesus. Specifically, I want to examine the four women that Matthew chose to include in his account of Jesus’ birth. First, the fact that he was willing to include women in the genealogy says something significant about Jesus. Matthew was trying to prove the “Jewishness” of Jesus by tracing his lineage back to Abraham. But, inspired by God, Matthew included women in Jesus’ genealogical record, which was controversial in those days. Furthermore, all four women had stories filled with brokenness perpetuated by the misogynistic society in which they lived. Again, inspired by God, Matthew included these women for a reason, and that reason gets at the heart of who Jesus is.

Another woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus, said it best in what is referred to as her “Magnificat.” Mary offers this praise after her cousin Elizabeth confirms that Mary is indeed carrying the Messiah. This praise came when so much was still unknown in her future. Her betrothed, Joseph, had not yet indicated how he was going to manage this scandalous pregnancy. According to Hebrew law, he had the right to publicly shame her by legally divorcing her. Despite her uncertain future, Mary was confident in God, declaring “My soul magnifies the Lord.” She goes on to say, “For he took notice of his lowly servant girl and from now on all generations will call me blessed.” Jesus was lifting women up for future generations.

On the surface, it’s obvious that women were treated unfairly in biblical times. Many Christians have perpetuated that in the modern church. They have minimized women’s roles in ministry, marriage, and life. However, reading deeper, you can see that Jesus was trying to raise up women. Peter declared that salvation was for men and women. Jesus declared he came to set the “captive free.” Women were, and continue to be, captive by limitations contrived by society. Jesus intended salvation to bring women liberty and freedom.

My husband reminded me how significant it was that Matthew added these women in the Bible. Matthew knew firsthand how the prejudices of society could impact a person. As a tax collector on behalf of the hated Roman government, Matthew was an outcast among his own people. It is likely he was called names, shunned, and spat upon. He may not have been welcomed in the temple or allowed to share Shabbat with his family. Jesus saw how loneliness and bitterness had broken Matthew’s spirit. But Jesus also saw beyond what others labeled as an outcast and called Matthew to be his disciple. Over the next few years, Matthew was an eyewitness to how Jesus treated those devalued by society, especially women, several of whom were named as followers of Jesus.

Join me and hear the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bethsheba. Note: I want to give credit to Raymond Woodward for inspiring this piece with his message “Broken Christmas.” You can find his message on YouTube. I disagreed with his interpretation of Bethsheba. Read my upcoming piece on her to see my interpretation

This is a picture of my uncles, Dennis and David, who have since passed away.
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Formations 18: God’s Word

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 110:105

God’s Word

Nourishes me,

Encourages me,

Inspires me,

Reminds me, and then,

Convicts me.

God’s Word

Informs me,

Persuades me,

Awakens me,

To whom God is

And who I am not.

God’s Word

Has been misaligned,

Has been weaponized,

Has been misinterpreted,

Has been misused,

And this is so unfortunate.

God’s Word

I need to study,

I need to mediate,

I need to pray.

And when I repeat,

It will be alive in me.

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Formations 16: Adulting

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

I love all the seasons of adult life.

In the spring of adulthood, I embraced collegiate life like a sponge. I adopted new ideas and became more passionate about others. I saw every opportunity as something to try and find out what I liked and what I didn’t. Although I poured myself into my studies, I poured myself into my friendships even more. Life seemed full of possibilities, and I wistfully dreamed of the future. It was the season when I fell in love with the person who would become my husband, with a DQ Mr. Misty by my side. And God’s goodness was chasing after me.

In the summer of adulthood, I was more confident in who I was. I embraced motherhood, creating opportunities for them to learn, explore, and thrive. I created traditions and celebrated life in a big way. I poured myself into ministry, both as a mother and as a faithful member of the body of Christ. In this season, I made the decision to home educate. I did childcare on the side. I loved my life and strived to do everything well fueled by Diet Pepsi. And God’s goodness was chasing after me.

It is the autumn of my adulthood, and I am still loving my life. I am an empty nester enjoying the quietness of our home. We still have plenty of family moments filled with lots of hugs and kisses from grandchildren. But now, we have time to focus on each other. I have cast my net wider than the four walls of my church, as far as ministry, trying to care for those who are marginalized in my community. I published a book and hope to write another one next year. I am energized by my relationship with God and the more than occasional cup of coffee. And God’s goodness is chasing after me.

The winter of adulthood has not arrived. I hope it will be filled with family, friends, and serving my community. I pray that I grow less attached to things and more attached to God. I believe I will continue to write, learn, and explore. And some day, when I am at the end, I will drink and feast at the table of my king. Because God’s goodness chased after me.

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Formations 13: Four Seasons

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am thankful for all four seasons!

In spring, bunnies frolic in the grass, nibbling on the clover. Lilacs bloom, wafting their sweet, heady perfume across the yard. Trees bud and unfurl their chartreuse leaves. Cheeful daffodils wave hello across the city, and everyone’s steps seem lighter. It is a season of anticipation, where anything can happen, and we can all start over. It is the season when we indulge in strawberries, green peas, and asparagus, embracing the season’s freshness. And God made it so good.

In summer, groundhogs waddle through the fields, feasting on the greens before they wilt in the sun. Birds sing at dawn and in the evening, hiding in their nests during the heat of the day. Flowers are blooming everywhere, filling pots and boxes with explosions of color. People meander around the city, as if time has stopped, and having a good time is the priority. Laughter fills the air, while peaches, nectarines, and corn fill the stands at Farmers’ Markets. Gatherings during the days and late nights keep the city buzzing like bees looking for the sweet nectar of the good life. It is the season of enjoyment. And God made it so good.

In autumn, squirrels skitter across the streets, gathering nuts and acorns for the winter. Mornings start with a chilly nip, while golden light frames the afternoon. Flowers may fade, but the trees express artistry with deep red, yellow, and orange leaves. Pumpkins, butternut squash, and apples are seasonal flavors in both food and drinks. People still gather, but the atmosphere has changed. It is a season of thankfulness, expressed with open hearts and warm smiles around tables and bonfires. And God made it so good.

In winter, the blanket of snow tells the tales of deer, raccoons, and foxes by their tracks. The snow sparkles like glitter in the sunlight, and the air feels icy. Wrapped up in coats, scarves, gloves, and knitted hats with pompoms, people walk quickly and determinedly. Yet, children still find joy in the season, squealing as they sled down a hill or make a snowman. Once inside, they warm up with steamy mugs of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and fill their stomachs with stews of turnips, parsnips, and potatoes. Despite the landscape being a bit monochromatic, citrus fills the grocers, adding a bit of brightness to the season. It is the season for quiet contemplation, reading books, or playing games as a family. And God made it so good.

I love the God who made the four seasons so good.

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Formations 3: My Greatest Love Story

“Oh Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” Psalms 86:5 NLT

It started almost 36 years ago, tear-stained cheeks, bowed at an altar asking a simple question: “God, are you real? If you are, please fill me with your spirit?” Seconds later, I felt this warm blanket of peace cover me and joy bubbling up from deep within my soul. At that moment, I knew there was a God who loved and cared for me. At that moment, He became my Savior. At that moment, I still had a lot to learn about this God.

I am still discovering His goodness, His love for me, the depth of His sacrifice, and His plans for my life. I love my husband, my children, and my grandchildren. I love my extended family and friends. But the greatest love story in my life is still unfolding, it is my relationship with Jesus Christ.

Like all love stories, it has its hills and valleys. Those are not based on His love for me, but rather my distorted view of Him. I sometimes wander away from Him, pridefully believing I can figure it out on my own. Time after time, His gentleness leads me back to repentance. Other times, I try to worship or connect with Him, but I allow distractions to turn my gaze to other things. Again, His Word redirects me so I can connect. He is forever faithful, knows my deepest secrets, my most unkind thoughts, and yet, still loves me.

I am forever grateful for that altar 36 years ago. It has slowly turned me from being a broken teenager scarred by sexual abuse into a woman who knows God heals and lovingly restores. And as this love story continues, I know someday I will be reunited with Him, surrounded by His glory.

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Formations: Introduction

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am insatiably curious about everything, well almost everything. From snails, horse racing, and architecture to travel, history, and biology, I read, research, and run down rabbit holes on a diverse number of subjects. In looking back, childhood trauma stifled my curiosity, but it was reawakened when I home educated my children. The fires were fanned while watching their deep brown and shimmering blue eyes sparkle when learning how pitcher plants could trap small mammals, and the frigate bird stole food from the blue-footed booby. I readily engage in conversations with strangers, listen to a wide array of podcasts, and have a never-ending stack of books on my nightstand to satisfy my curiosity. As I grow older, I hope to keep these fires burning, forever positioning myself to be a life-long learner.

One of my favorite areas of study is learning how the brain’s wiring changes with new interactions. For many years, we thought that brain development became static as we age. But we are learning that even people 50 and older can change due to neuroplasticity. They are not trapped by their childhood and early adult patterns of viewing the world. Instead, they can move towards being more healthy, whole, and wise as they age.

One of the simplest ways to change is to express gratitude. Various studies have demonstrated that practicing gratitude daily can reduce cortisol, which lowers stress. It also provides more structure for the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that deals with difficult emotions. Building neuron connections through gratitude helps us feel good both in the short term and in the long term, by strengthening our emotional resilience.

I could go on about the benefits of gratitude, but I know firsthand how it has improved my life. For about 10 years, my daily gratitude journal has been an important rhythm in my life. Expressing gratitude daily has helped me pursue peace during adversity, demonstrate kindness to others, and remain hopeful in hard circumstances. It confirms Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.”

For the next 30 days, I am going to share with you a glimpse of what this daily practice has looked like in my life. I am doing this for several reasons. I need to reincorporate this practice with more consistency. I also need to make writing a priority in my life as well. Writing helps me process and is an important creative outlet for my life. It may be just a few sentences or a few paragraphs, but each day, I invite you to see a window into my soul.

I am going to title this series Formation. Formation means an act of giving form or shape to something. I hope this practice of writing gratitude helps shape my brain to focus on the goodness of God and gives form to my writing habit. So come along with me for the month of November, and practice daily gratitude with me. Feel free to share in the comments about your own gratitude.