uptomytoes

Category: Prayer

  • Don’t Fence Me Out

    I have fond memories of my dad singing little ditties as he went about his day. Most were a little tongue and cheek, and all made me laugh. One he often sang, I’m sure to my mom’s delight, was “Don’t Fence Me In”… “Oh, give me land, lots of landUnder starry skies aboveDon’t fence me…

  • Audacious Love

    My phone was dinging with texts the other night from one of my dear ones who was dealing with some disappointment. I was writing essay-like texts to encourage and love on my sweet child.  At one point, I texted “Life isn’t about what we get to have or do or even who we get to…

  • Redeemed, Restored, Resting

    I grabbed a whole row because my sweethearts were coming in behind me. I laid down my jacket, my purse, my Bible, my journal, and a few bulletins throughout the row to make sure I had enough seats. As they all filed in, I felt my smile grow bigger and bigger. These beautiful young people…

  • Everything is OK

    There is a stump where a big beautiful oak tree used to stand tall over the river. We called it “Grandpa’s Tree” because my dad used to like to sit under it and quietly look out at the water. It’s a special spot for our family. We miss my dad and now we miss the…

  • How Honest Do I Really Need to Be?

    A few weeks ago I felt convicted that I needed to share more – write more. And I knew that to some degree it would be a humbling experience because my life is messy, crisis-prone, exhausting, and somewhat embarrassing. Last night something happened that tends to happen a bit more than I’d like lately, and…

  • A Safe Place to Let Go

    You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114 One of my daughters gently opened my door in the middle of the night and said, “Momma, may I sleep in your bed?” I’m a super light sleeper so I instantly woke up, threw back the covers, and welcomed her…

  • When You Just Want to Hide the Hard

    This past weekend I planted 7 large bushes. Digging the holes ‘bout killed me. I was determined to get through all the roots, rocks, and clay. I jumped on that shovel like my life depended on it. Wrestled those shrubs out of their buckets and into my hard-fought holes. Filled back in the edges with…

  • Fidgety

    On a recent afternoon, my youngest daughter and I took a walk by the river (above picture). It was beautifully serene and peaceful. My chest ached with a longing to be that peaceful…to be quiet inside. I shared with my daughter how I longed to feel the way the water looked. She said, “Momma, why…

  • Following the Conductor

    There is a rhythm to life now. Although I’m still a tad awkward, I think I’m getting the hang of it. My life like a musical score with all its high notes and low notes and harmonies and minor clashes and key changes…it’s beautiful in its unpredictability and challenging in its complexity. Still, it is…

  • Prayer Is…

    Prayer has been both my first response and my last resort.  It has been the thread of sanity through difficult seasons.  The words that put me back to sleep during a restless night.  Prayer is the ending of long days The blessing offered with my children at night.  The quiet of the morning and the…