a planted life | learning to love
I picked a dandelion puff yesterday. The weed symbolizes randomness or meaninglessness or whatever... something fluffy. Not certain. Not solid. Not weighty. Today a hospice chaplain held my dying mother in law's hand and spoke dandelion puffs over her. It was supposed to be beautiful but in reality it was sad and angering. Here my... Continue Reading →
You aren't much for words or celebrations. You prefer actions- everyday manifestations of whatever this thing called love is. You're not sure anyway so why get bogged down in the party plans trying to figure it out or the essays of "I love yous" people say to each other like the courtesy, "How do you... Continue Reading →
Me and my momma My mom tells great stories. She always has. On a recent visit I asked her to retell the versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk and the Three Little Pigs she told us as kids. She said she couldn’t because, just like her biscuit or buttermilk pancake... Continue Reading →
This morning I stood in my kitchen trying to force myself to think on what it means that Christ is risen when I'm angry with my son. I stood there waiting for the french press coffee to sit a minute before stirring, thinking, "Christ has risen. It's Easter, Sheila. That's what your entire faith rests... Continue Reading →
I think I inherited my mom’s tendency toward rearranging things. Growing up, I’d come home from school to a practically new house every week as my mom, inspired by something she found at a garage sale, would rearrange and redecorate the living room with what she had. Today I gave my blog a new look... Continue Reading →
I read somewhere the other day that a writer should implement a practice of writing 400 words a day. Just to keep the word-crafting muscles warm. I thought I'd give it a go. I might not, scratch that, I won't share my 400 words here everyday, lest these pages read, "Yada yada yada..." 397 more... Continue Reading →
Oh Ireland, I am your daughterGenerations removed but not the wonderDrawn to your lore and mysteryI’ve dreamed of you across the sea. I am a mut, a mix of kinGrown up in Poor Town, OregonMy father’s chin, red beard covered,Reminds me of a special clover I walked along a mossy pathIn Oregon’s green wildernessMy broken... Continue Reading →
Photo by Allan Mas on Pexels.com Teaching kids about Jesus presents many opportunities to remember the love that changes us. Yesterday I was the teacher to a group of kinder through 5th graders. The kids sat at their places around the tables, red construction paper hearts and crayons in front of them and one of... Continue Reading →
Photo by kira schwarz on Pexels.com Fear can strangle you. Lies can put you in real danger. Truth can be a hurricane sweeping through and flattening everything you've worked to build. And you can be so overcome with the shadow of death that you stop bagging your tomatoes in the produce section and grind your... Continue Reading →
Take the 8 Powerful Prayers To Pray Over Your Children with you in your purse or Bible. Stick them to your mirror, or lay them beside your bed. Use these scriptures and prayers as a guide and inspiration to pray for your children wherever you are. Click on the image below for your FREE printable... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Faithfulness 