On a cold Sunday two weeks ago, my sisters and I stood under an overcast sky near our mother’s grave, each with a different bouquet of flowers to lay beside it. We were there to mark the day when, four years ago, she slept her last sleep and awoke in heaven.   Earlier that morning, when the sun was still shining and melting sparkling rivulets into the streets, I had the unexpected privilege of attending my childhood church with my mother’s parents. Filled with old family memories, I sat on the wooden pew next to my grandmother. The tone of her silvery voice singing Holy, holy, holy floated...

Today is my wedding day, and my father will read this poem during my ceremony.     Today is like the new wine flowing from the hands of Christ at the late hour during the wedding of Cana It is like the first blooms of spring and the brilliance of sunrise after the sunset before a long winter: Today is a tree of life. Today is the wonder of divine redemption after the death of dreams, like Isaac’s ram on the mountain It is like a feast at harvest, the evidence of seeds unseen cultivated by Sovereign hands: Today is a promise received. Today is a reflection of God who is faithful in covenant love,...

Peonies. Pink like the dawn, fragrant with beauty, awash with freshness like new mercies. I love waking up to their soft elegance on my kitchen table.       Today they stir thoughts lately on my mind: We have no idea how good God is. How deeply good, just how enduring His mercies are, as the Psalms proclaim over and over. His glories sweep over our lives every day, His words pour forth like sunlight. He is there, He is here, ever-present, accessible because of Jesus Christ.   Today He brings with Him the beauty of dawn, the fragrance of hope, the surety of mercies never grown...

My house smells like cinnamon and coconut.       For me, there’s nothing like rolling out of bed and baking something sweet on a Saturday morning, putting aside the to-do list for a moment, following that spur-of-the-moment fun idea.   Enjoying the way God has wired us and the things He has already given us are ways to rejoice and give thanks for His goodness, and I think it brings Him pleasure.   Rejoice in the Lord always, and I will say it again: Rejoice!    

A layer of puffy snow sits atop the grass, the branches, the deck rails, like cream risen to the surface. Its gentle presence throws a hush over the cold stillness of morning, reminding us that there is a time for quiet.     Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will quiet you with My love.