This Place of Grace

Until three years ago, the glass of my life was always half empty with a hole at the bottom where everything leaked out. Then, during Advent that year, I began to make a gift list. Not a list of gifts I wanted, a list of gifts I already had—and for which I was...

Two Thousand

Since writing this post a year and a half ago, I’ve penned another 1000+ things for which I’m thankful; I’m re-running this post because reading it reminded me again why the list matters, why numbering it is helpful, why I need to keep writing down...

Hymn of Grateful Praise

For the beauty of the earth… For the glory of the skies… For the love which from our birth… Over and around us lies… Lord of all to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.   –Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864 According to Robert Morgan,...

Language Lessons

1. “Would you be willing to speak at our Stephen Ministry meeting?” Linda’s message on my voicemail surprises me. “We’d like you to talk about gratitude.” I have a testimony to prepare for the whole congregation. I have blog posts...

Gifts: A List Poem

“…forget not all God’s benefits.” —Psalm 103:2 a vine— red leaves tremble a wire— two crows snicker lavender floret— purple scent clings to my fingers damp drizzle— magenta dahlias stretch petals to catch rain...