Before Easter, the first-grade catechist I assisted asked our class if they knew what the Resurrection meant. One boy answered that it meant Jesus rose from the dead—and he had heard the story so many times by now that he was beginning to be bored of it. The answer brought a laugh and a deeper explanation from the catechist, but in reality, any of us can feel as that little boy did. We celebrated Christ’s Resurrection for forty days. It is good to question how that changed us, if at all… Continue reading on Missio Dei....
Spring & The Tender Heart of God
I saw spring for the first time this year. I don’t mean that I somehow wasn’t on earth March-June every year of my life until now. I mean that I never saw a real spring before. If you grew up in a normal place that experienced four seasons a year, you may ask if fake springs are a thing. They are. Perhaps ‘abnormal’ is a better word. I lived most of my life in a town 8,000 feet above sea-level. Not much grows up yonder besides pine trees and sagebrush, but it sure does snow. Springtime was when you got to say hello to the dirt and sagebrush again. You might get a few aspens budding, some flowers, but it wasn’t explosive in the least. Until last year, the only other place I’ve lived was a desert. No, all those palm trees are not native to Southern California. Nor...
Lifewarden: A Short Story
Hey there! Today’s post is super short because I have an exciting announcement: My new short story is here! Lifewarden is now available for anyone to read over on StoryEmbers.org. I’m honored to have my work published on their site, as they do amazing work for the Christian writing community. I’m also very grateful to their editors, who helped me polish my story. What’s this story about? In a nutshell, Lifewarden follows a hundred and nine year old woman who has spent her life foretelling deaths, despite sensing that something isn’t quite right about her work. On the final day of her existence, her doubts resurface, now with the power to determine how she will be remembered, what will become of her family, and how an entire society will be shaped. The best part is that you get the whole experience in just over 3,000 words. HERE’S THE LINK...
For the One Who is Afraid to Begin
For the one who is afraid to begin. For the one who is stuck in endless calculation and planning. For the one who is afraid to make the first brush stroke for fear they are not prepared. For the one who is afraid to set the first stone for fear it will create the wrong foundation. For the one who is afraid of making mistakes and having to backtrack and rethink. For the one who is afraid to begin for fear of having to begin again. And again. And again. This is for you. — Lord, I want to begin, but I do not know when, or how, or if now is the right time to. I do not know if I am prepared enough or even if I should have taken this much time to prepare. I like to be efficient, to not have to backtrack, to get...