failure, redefined

Technical failure stole several hours of work from me this morning. How annoying. I had been writing—quite well, I might add—about spiritual warfare, so, the loss should not have come by surprise. Chuckling at the (inane) thought of googling How to Recover Lost Data, I decided instead to choose joy, and pray for help. Thank God, I haven't lost anything that Jesus can't replace. 

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. ~ Joel 2:25

puppy love

Because of his propensity to hog the bed, our dog is comfortably situated elsewhere in the house every night, securely separated from humankind. Last night, however, we dropped the ball. I woke this morning overheated, the length of my side cuddled by a blissful rat terrier. Giving his belly a scratch I couldn't help but think, this is the closeness God wants from me: the kind that radiates heat.

My dog longs to be near me. (How Jesus-esque.) He seizes every opportunity to get my attention, invite me to play, snuggle close. His favorite days are mutual adventures: long walks through rugged terrain. I love him and am grateful to have Chip in my life; and yet, often—usually—other matters are more pressing. After a quick pat on his head, I'm on to the next. (How like me, in relation to Jesus.)

Please, God, help me do a better job recognizing opportunities to love and be loved. I want a closer walk with you.



"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:4-5

batter up!

Watching little league has given me a new appreciation for baseball. There is beauty in the way the game is played. All members have their strengths, which vary. The star third-baseman struggles at bat; big hitters shine a little less in the outfield.

My son, a golfer, is new to this team sport. Fred and I live and die with him from the bleachers as his skills slowly improve. We are encouraged to notice that even the best players on the team strike out, drop the ball, over-throw. Everyone makes mistakes. And yet, despite the errors, when everyone does his part, win or lose, the game is fun. Goal, accomplished.

Gray's coach, a joyful Christian, reminds the boys often, "We get to play baseball today! Isn't that great? And guess what: baseball is more fun, when you play hard."

What an awesome analogy for the Church, and the Christian life. The more I give you, Jesus, the more I get. The more we work together as a team, despite our failures, the more you accomplish through us.

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." ~ John 17:22-23

s l o w

Sometimes I purposefully cut through our local hospital's parking lot on my way across town, despite the fact that the speed limit is 15mph, and the way is peppered with crosswalks. I like the reminder to s-l-o-w  d-o-w-n. The sight is always spiritually rich: today, an adorable elderly man minces across the street accompanied by a waddling, hugely pregnant woman, while a wheel-chair-bound patient is pushed through the doors of the oncology center. As this drama unfolds, we commuters inch along, taking extra care.

Don't you wish there was a slow zone like this in life, for those of us who are feeling spiritually weak, and emotionally spent? Another reason to long for heaven.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3

the lion

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." ~ Matthew 5:44-45 

This morning, I pray for my enemy.

Funny, until I found his note on the windshield of my car, I was unaware that I was opposed at all, among humans. Ten little words changed that—a vulgar invitation, scribbled on a scrap; prosaic profanity, accompanied by an unlisted phone number. Classy. Amazing how a tiny piece of paper can change a girl's life. Suddenly, I am hunted. Secretly targeted. I can no longer go freely about my day. "Lock the doors, Dear, you have to be careful." Echoing Peter's familiar warning, the police instructed me to be on the lookout for you, Enemy; to be aware of anyone watching, following, driving by to spy out the house.

...Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8


You're mistaken, Enemy, if you think I don't know who you are. Your name remains a mystery, but I have no doubt concerning your heart. I know full well by whom you are inhabited. Meanwhile, as I trust God to protect me from you, Enemy Mine, I will daily pray for you. After all, Jesus died for the both of us; he loves you as much as he loves me.

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." ~ Luke 5:32

star shine

I wanna be a star
But is that all I'm really here for? 
And if I'm not a star, will that be okay? 
Would I still be someone? ~ Barlow Girl, Superstar


Everyone has dreams; sometimes I fear mine may be too big. Is this possible? After all, the Psalmist wrote the following lovely, encouraging, well-known promise:


Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4


As I increasingly delight in Jesus, he has systematically set about  reorganizing and even replacing the desires of my heart, inserting his dreams for me at the top of the list. Apparently Jesus is more interested in a person's spiritual growth and the refinement of her character, than any earthly goals she could possibly hope to achieve.


Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. ~ Philippians 2:14-16a


If you and I work hard—happily—and boldly speak the truth in love, we can't help but shine in God's eyes, no matter what else He equips us to accomplish in life. Anyone can be Someone, even without achieving star status down here.


...the man who loves God is known by God. ~ 1 Corinthians 8:3

self-loathing, meet self-love

Concerning me, Catherine, I've never been a fan. Shy, skittish, awkward... what's to like? Lately, however, something new has been bubbling up in my heart: joyful affirmation. My pride is soothed—I detest being wrong, and what do you know, I've been right all along! There is nothing good about me.

...there is no one who does good, not even one. ~ Romans 3:12

Jesus + Me, however, is a rare and wonderful combination.

Sometimes lately I feel separated from myself, standing off to the side watching this woman who looks a lot like me mingling with people. Fearlessly meeting their eyes, strategically, purposefully, she engages them. Aghast at this slow but steady transformation, I am consumed with love for my Savior.

Jesus makes all things new.

... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17