At 14 she drove a cab barefoot along 5th Avenue. At 18 she was the swamp buggy queen. For 50 years she was a pastor’s wife, teaching Sunday School to teens and women and leaving secret notes in their Bibles. At 74 she is dying in my living room, remembering it all. Or none of it.
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Retrospective: 2002
August 23, 2012 
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God in his wisdom has called this godly father, husband and pastor to a perfect sabbath rest. Some of the things we depended on him for we will now have to do for ourselves. Or for each other. Or simply wait for God to do.
Read more the house that Jack built
August 4, 2012 2 Comments
Jack was a solid, faithful man, whose long struggle with cancer taught others how to live with pain and die with dignity.
Read more what God gave up for Lent
February 24, 2012 6 Comments
The sobering reality of Lent is that we have sinned. Our righteousness amounts to nothing. We are unclean and undone. We can’t even give up a doughnut when it comes right down to it.
Read more the day Santa died
December 1, 2011 9 Comments
Although St. Nicholas had rich parents and my dad had poor ones, both of them were gracious, righteous men, generous to a fault. I know good came to them and that they are and will be remembered that way. And I know I want to be such a man.
Read morewhen words fail us
March 14, 2011 9 Comments
If someone says their love is like a red, red rose, they run the risk of being taken as original. We are the poorer for it.
Read moreof grief and grace
January 10, 2011 7 Comments
In the meantime there is grief. Awkward conversations. Unplanned silences. Unanswered questions.
Read morea web of grief
May 17, 2010 8 Comments
In ancient Israel mourners displayed their grief by smiting their chests and tearing their clothes. For seven days, at least, they wouldn’t dress themselves, make their bed, take a bath, or do any work at all. I understand that. Today we mourn the loss of a young man in our church. And no one feels […]
Read morefilling a void
November 7, 2008 7 Comments
…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Some friends in Tennessee sent us a card today, one of many, many cards offering prayer […]
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on dying well
We have a lot yet to learn. But we are determined to learn it, and to extend grace with calmness and certitude in our final hours.
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