The words of a song “Bohemian Rhapsody” from Queen, a rock band from the 70’s, in a weird way capsulizes a struggle I have had recently. The lyrics begin with: Is this real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a land slide. No escape from reality. The month of May was renamed by a…
One year ago on April 2nd, we held a mini Women’s retreat at our church. In 2011, Easter fell later in the month. I remember my friend Daryl, who was beginning to not feel well, struggling with whether she would make it or not to the retreat. I remember her bragging to me that she…
I love butterflies, but I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to have a fascination with them. My fascination was actually inspired by a book. It came out of one of those experiences where you are the teacher, but the tables turn and you become the student. During my time at seminary, I…
When my friend passed away last fall, I let the tears flow freely and sometimes they were uncontrollable. The tears came often. Sometimes they came out of nowhere, but every time they came; I let the tears roll. I knew… It is okay to be sad. This truth struck me as I came across a…
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness…” II Corinthians 11:30. Who, in their right mind, wants to brag about the things in which they are weak? The last thing I want to do is even think about them. My weaknesses frighten me; they are places that seem…
On one trip to Selby Gardens, I felt drawn to the far southwest corner where the gardens and Sarasota Bay come together. This spot opens up to breath taking views and sounds of the waves gently brushing the seawall. As lovely as it may be, when I am seeking silence and solitude, it is not…
In the midst of my grieving the loss of my friend, who in her passing left a thirteen year old daughter, a sixteen year old son, an incredibly gifted youth/children’s pastor husband and a host of others. All of us were caught up in the wake left by the boat of death, which whizzed by us…