Lord, teach me. . . .

Life is very interesting . . . in the end, some of your greatest pains, become  your greatest strengths. –Drew Barrymore Somewhere along the way, we got it wrong. Our Founding Fathers wrote of certain inalienable rights, but sometimes it seems the only one we are interested in is the pursuit of happiness. We watch Happy Days and eat Happy Meals; we are advised to “just grin and bear it,” “don’t worry, be happy,” and “put on a happy face!” But let’s face it: sometimes, things just stink. Our home life can be challenging. Our job can be a real bear. Some days, even getting out of bed can feel like a real effort. But we keep all this to ourselves, because after all, the Good News is all we need to be liberated, enthused—and happy. Right? (Nope.) Think of the seeds we plant in our gardens. If plants are to sprout, they often have to endure scorching heat, devastating drought (or flooding)—or even passing through the digestive tract of a bird! (You thought you had...

We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness. –Francis Chan Facebook is a fascinating place. In the roughly ten years I have been doing ministry there, I’ve found it to be both wonderful and terrifying, educational and frustrating. Mostly, I find it’s a great way to learn more about people, and about life in general. On Facebook, I have 477 “friends.” Most, but not all, of my friends, I have actually met. They are people with whom I share common interests, and whose online company I have come to enjoy. When my first husband died, one of the first people to reach out was a pastor in Australia who was nearly as devastated as I, seeking to help me make sense of Rich’s sudden death. Amazing place, Facebook. I also have 200 “followers.” These are people who read what I write, but I’ve not actually admitted them to my circle of friends. That sounds like quite a lot, doesn’t it? To put this into perspective, on Facebook, ...

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. –James Cash (J. C.) Penney There is a parable in Scripture where Jesus tells of a farmer sowing seed. Depending on many factors, the seed may die or flourish. The most important variable seems to be the soil on which the seed is cast. In other words, plant the seed as instructed using the best potting soil or fertilized dirt available, and the likelihood of success is much higher. True enough. So if this is a parable about our lives, what, exactly, are the seeds? And the dirt? Good questions. When I was teaching years ago, every spring we would plant sunflower seeds in a clear cup so the children could better understand this whole growing process. They watched as the taproot headed deeper and the two flat leaves first appeared. Sure enough, there really was a plant inside that seed! But without dirt, water and light, no plant. And especially, with no little farmer child to tend the plan...

(This week’s reflection comes from Vicki Kemper, via Still Speaking ,  a daily devotional from the United Church of Christ.) If you've spent any time in museums or wandered wide-eyed through an ancient city, you know how it goes: After a while, your brain just cannot absorb another factoid. . . . Ho-hum. I was approaching the "ho-hum" stage recently as a tour guide described the stunning artifacts privately preserved inside a large, glass-enclosed case. Then the guide came to La Santa's cape, a heavy woolen thing grandly displayed.  Suddenly her demeanor changed. She demanded our attention. She pointed to the nearly 500-year-old cape which, according to legend, would guarantee a safe and easy delivery to a pregnant woman who had been wrapped in it. She said, "I believe! This is  real." It turns out that when our guide had been with child, the cloistered keepers of the cape had taken the holy relic out of the case and draped it across her...

Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialog, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live. –David Binder Last weekend was Pride Weekend in many cities, including mine. My husband and I decided to go watch the parade. As it passed and we clapped, some folks invited us to walk with their church group—so we did. And I am so grateful. A parade like this always looks different from the ranks than it does from the sidelines. From the sidelines, we never would have seen the Guardian Angels. Every year, every Pride Parade draws groups that try to spread a vile message of hate from the sidelines. They are required to have a permit, and are confined to a particular spot along the route (thank goodness). And every time these folks show up, so do the Guardian Angels. Dressed in white, with what appear to be enormous wings spread, these ...