uptomytoes

Tag: faith

  • Dogeared and Dearly Loved

    Dogeared: (adj.) Having many pages with corners that have been folded down, usually a sign of heavy use. I never used to fold down the corner of book pages. It would be shocking to me to ruin the clean, flat, perfect look of a page. Now, I almost take pleasure in bending that little bit…

  • Counting It All Good

    One Sunday when I was in my early teens, my mom and I sang a song together at church. I remember how nervous I was while I waited in the front pew for the end of the Scripture reading. Mom and I walked up together, stood behind the pulpit, placed our hymnal down, and waited…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • It’s All About the Look

    For the past few nights my girls and I have been watching the 6 hour BBC “Pride and Prejudice”. It’s probably the 83rd time. We looooove it.  Last night, the episode we were watching was one where Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth look at each other for a prolonged moment over the piano-forte. Let’s just say…

  • 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…

  • Be Who You Already Are

    I was sharing with a dear friend some hard things that were happening and she texted me this, “God will provide abundantly and be your Bridegroom. He is King. Be His beloved.” Gentle but powerful words that went straight to my heart.  In those words I heard, “Be who you already are.”  I am Beloved.…

  • 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…