Lent: Recognizing our lack of control

I hated feeling out of control two days ago. My dad’s computer was invaded by a small army of hackers (literally 101 foreign IP addresses were identified), resulting in flashing warning signals on the screen and an industrial-sounding signal blaring from the speakers. I had no choice but to call the number on the screen, […]

Lent: Locked in a room with open doors

Many years ago I read a sermon by Ernest Campbell titled, “Locked in a room with open doors.” I remember it being a good sermon, though I don’t recall specifics. However, the title stuck. Numerous times since I first read it, I have found myself realizing, “Here I am. I’m locked in this room with […]

Lent: “Life’s rough”

As Randy and I approached the door to the grocery store, a man who appeared to be in his 30s was coming out the door. He cradled a sack of groceries in his left arm and pushed the door with his right hand. He was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, his hair was a […]

Lent: Looking at what life presents

I got my second Covid vaccination yesterday morning. I will continue to be cautious and wear a mask, but I will breathe a little easier within a couple of weeks. I scheduled nothing today, because I had heard from many that the second shot often takes a physical toll the next day. The toll did […]

Lent: Things get stirred up, then they settle

I started my day with the thought, “I have nothing to write today.” Well, that wasn’t the true start. The true start was some bleary-eyed sitting with my first cup of coffee. But once I got to the point of rational thought, “I have nothing to write today” was my first conclusion. With that, I […]

Lent: Seeing

Judy had cataract surgery on her left eye yesterday. In two weeks she goes back for the right. Fortunately it was an uneventful surgery, and with the exception of some burning and discomfort, she is doing well. Once healed, she is hoping to see far better than before. Her vision has been deteriorating for years, […]

Lent: Remembering

Remembering. This is a big part of Lent for me, taking time to remember those who have shaped me, helped me grow, pushed me to grow through their encouragement or their challenge. One way I am remembering this year is through a daily routine. Rather than eliminating something from my life, I have added something. […]

Lent: Discovering the cracks

Cracks in the ceiling. These are common in this part of the country. Intense heat during the summer, dry ground, slight shifting of the foundation, and “Behold,” cracks in the ceiling. Yesterday I decided to tackle two such cracks in the entryway of our house. I’ve done it often enough I had some idea of […]

Lent: Pay attention

I fasted yesterday. I went without food from dinner on Tuesday until dinner yesterday evening. It was not really a planned fast; there was no spiritual motivation or noble cause behind it. During a week of being homebound, with subfreezing temperatures, a couple of days of water outage, and most of that time with my […]

Lent: Celebrating impermanence

Yesterday, President Biden publicly commemorated the 500,000 people who have died of COVID-19 in this country alone. It’s a staggering number, and yet as the stories keep coming and the number goes up, I get numb to the reality of it. Because I am not a nurse or some other front-line worker, because I don’t […]