– a phrase from Zechariah 4.10 I think I stumbled across this phrase out of a prophet’s book in college, a paraphrase I heard like a whisper over everything I felt was small or insignificant. “Do not despise the day of small things,” became a rallying cry for me to celebrate always, and not shame […]
The Other Side of Lent
I woke up this morning to the reminder that we are halfway through Lent, a church season known for fasting, reflection, and a slower pace. But one thing often missed about Lent is that there is balance: with each Sunday comes a feast day–a day to relish in the thing you’ve been fasting from. A […]
Lent is: living.
I woke up while it was still dark this morning, my body refusing to return to sleep, twisting, turning from one side to the other, pulsing with pain. So through my restless, blinking, squinting eyes, I watched the sunrise. I watched Easter slowly dawn. I remembered the darkness of the night, the empty grave that […]
Lent is: failing.
It’s Holy Saturday. I’m keeping my room dark, my curtains drawn, this morning. To remember the darkness, the darkness of this day so long ago. All hope seemed lost. All hearts withdrawn. Words spoken so long ago—burned onto our hearts—seem silent now, gone with the one we buried. Even the miraculous of yesterday—the torn curtain, […]
Lent is: hoping.
How do you stay hopeful? a friend asked me this week. The question caught me off guard at first, wondering if I truly was hoping through a rough week of pain and restlessness. So I was as honest as I could be with her: It’s been hard. So hard. I think I’ve mostly tried to […]
Lent is: admitting need.
Oh how I need you to refresh me: body-soul-spirit. Apart from you I’m nothing: a disciple-discontent. Sad and downcast Slow to learn: slower still to act. Oh how I need you to just be here: with me. It’s 11 AM and I’m back in bed, exhausted, restless, and hurting. My body is burnt out, and […]