Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above. Every smile from a stranger kiss from a puppy genuine compliment porch drop-off post-liturgical nap unexpected windfall new understanding belly laugh offer of help to reach something high on a shelf investment by a mentor bit of good news sunshine after a heavy… Read More
Friday prayer: trading our armor
In scripture you tell us to put on your armor, God, but we have known too much of war. What if, then, we paired your belt of truth with a cozy cardigan, opening our soft fronts to your image in us and in others? What if we put on comfy shoes that automatically transported us… Read More
Friday prayer: back to school
I hoped – Lord, how hard I hoped – that the start to this school year would feel different than the last one. It does. But instead of knowing I’m doing the right thing for me and my house by keeping my kid at home, I’m so scared that I’ve shipped him off to get… Read More
Friday prayer: taste and see
I taste the sweetness of ripe watermelon, enjoyed in my backyard the sourness of lemons, squeezed into refreshing beverages the savoriness of bacon, paired with pancakes for a perfect weekend breakfast the saltiness of pretzels, the snack I load up with cheeses and hummus the spiciness of peppers, lending heat to chunky salsa the tanginess… Read More
Friday prayer: your healing presence
Lord, I want to be made well. I want to be healed of my perfectionism my desire to control my internalized prejudices my distrust of those who see things differently my utter exhaustion my anger about petty matters my tendency to withdraw my long-held grudges. I reach for the hem of your garment, and there… Read More
Friday prayer: teach your peace
Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Covid still rages in spots around the globe. Soul- and body-crushing white supremacy undergirds many of our systems. Families and individuals struggle to live day-to-day without enough financial support. The planet is dying. People are dehumanized for who they are and whom they love. Abuse briefly… Read More
Friday prayer: a sturdy house
A house divided against itself cannot stand. And yet, we resist one another at almost every turn. “That’s not what I want.” “You can’t tell me what to do.” “It wasn’t me.” “You’re wrong.” In the moment it’s so much easier to ignore or deny or blame, but each decision to disconnect opens another crack… Read More
Friday prayer: we need each other
I rememberwhen you brushed my hair into lopsided pigtailswhen you let me “work” at your office to earn quarterswhen you came to every basketball game to watch me take statswhen you took me on spring break parent-child adventureswhen you sent me goofy pictures and motivational quotes, knowing I was homesick at collegewhen you played with… Read More
Friday prayer: you are love
Love. It sounds so effortless: “I just love on everyone.” Well, that ease depends on other people being lovable. Often they’re not. (Often I’m not.) Then, compassion becomes hard work: staying connected and showing up when we’d rather not, looking for the much-obscured divine image within each person. If I’m honest, this is the kind… Read More
Friday prayer: don’t fear the naysayers
“By what power or by what name did you do this?” they said to Peter, not caring for his message, hearing in it the threat of imminent change. Yes, that Peter – one of Jesus’ twelve closest companions, the rock on which Christ declared he would build his church. If people argued with Peter, is… Read More
