Christ in me the Hope of Glory. Pain cannot separate us from the Love of God. Pain cannot stop us from loving. Jesus is with us in our pain. He is. I have tried fighting pain, and it’s no good. The saints learned to rejoice in their sufferings. And I’m no saint, but they prove it’s…

When the Gospel is read on Passion Sunday, I don’t like hearing my own voice among the crowd shouting out “Crucify him, crucify him!” I fantasize that I would have stood strong for him. And though it makes me squirm a bit, it’s good for me to play my part with the rest of them…

I had never heard of costochondritis. It made my chest hurt and scared me into a trip to the emergency room where they quickly did an EKG, blood tests, and lung x-rays to rule out heart and lung issues. The good news is my heart and lungs are healthy! But, I need to lay off…

I have this abstract painting hanging in my office, and I find it beautiful, soothing, and interesting. I never tire of contemplating it’s blend of color and texture. I see in it something of the mystery of life. I can’t quite grasp it or explain it’s significance. It requires of me a certain openness and…

I can’t see red roses without remembering the roses. Three dozen of them, at least, and the most heavenly fragrance I’ve ever known. My neighbor, Rosa Maria brought them. My senses were opened more fully to the beauty of creation and I begin to see Mary in a new way – not just as Jesus’ mother, but…

Yesterday I postponed my run until afternoon. Normally, I don’t wear my hearing aids when running. I put them on just before leaving for work. If I’m alone on my day off I don’t use them at all. The truth is I’m comfortable being partially deaf. The urgent sound of freeway traffic intrudes into my…

Another painting by our daughter, Xhiv. This one was sold to our dear friends Aaron and Marian Thompson. I like so many things about this painting; the vibrant colors, fresh flowers, the weathered face of a woman who seems to be praying her work. The title intrigues me as well; The Beautiful Burden. It invites me…

I  breathe a prayer, “Lord, let me glimpse your Love and I shall not stray from your path.” Only a moment later God’s word penetrates my scattered thoughts and into my heart. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:6 I am the object, not the subject of…

Today I contemplate this image of the Forgiving Father. Our artist daughter made it for a friend who commissioned the painting last year. The mingled grief and love  in the Father’s eyes draw my thoughts to God’s unrelenting love; a love that grieves at solitary suffering, and  rejoices to hold his child in his arms….

I decide to go for a run while I await my husband’s arrival with the phone charger, toothbrush, and medicine I forgot to pack for the retreat. Yes, I really did forget those three essentials. It’s humbling to be married to a man who never forgets essentials, yet happily comes to my rescue. My eyes…