Winter is my least favorite time of year. This time of year enfolds me with a sense of emptiness and loss of hope. My mood reflects the dreary gray winter sky that blanket northwest Ohio.But the last few years I see winter with new eyes and a renewed appreciation of its beauty and purpose. I am surprised at this new phenomenon and the joy I have discovered in it stark loveliness.      Bird nests were the first indication of seeing winter in a new way. My eyes were drawn to them. I saw them everywhere. Tree branches, now barren, allowed me to see them where they were hidden before.     Every time I looked up, multiple bird nests materialized. They beckoned me, “Look at me, I have something to tell you.” In His mysterious way, God began to invite me to wonder about these empty and barren nests.      The nests were not just empty, but represented hollow vacant cups, waiting to be filled. Instead of focusing on what they did not have, they remained open, ready to hold new life that was yet … [Read more...]

A year ago I was scared.Last year mark the end of a decade for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved telling people if I had know how good the 50s were going to be I would have rushed to them sooner. I grew as a writer and spiritually walked closer to God. My kids evolved into wonderful adults seeking their own adventures. My hubby and I both retired and open new fulfilling chapters in life.  Would the 60s be as good?I was scared.But looking back, this last year has not been bad at all. I accomplished several items from my bucket list (a hot air balloon ride and finishing my Associate in Ministry requirement for the Lutheran church). Tried new recipes and saw new places. And learned a valuable lesson when a dream was dashed against the rocks that putting the broken pieces in God’s hands leads to healing.Maybe that is one reason I like the start of the new year.  The energy and excitement of fresh new chapter in life.  The anticipation, though with some anxiety, of the blessings ahead.  … [Read more...]

January is the month of “Janus.” Janus was the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions – a good image of this first month of the year.  One face looks back on the year gone and the other looks forward to the new and uncertain one ahead. January is a reflective month – an opportunity to look back at the year behind us – letting go of our regrets and celebrating our joys, then we look forward also into the coming months. Many of us make well-meaning resolutions and hope we can achieve at least some of them.January is a transition time. – the liminal space between two years.  William Bridges wrote a wonderful and interesting book about transitions, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changesand The Way of Transition. Transition is a the process of letting go of the way things used to be and then taking hold of the way they subsequently become. One of his concepts I appreciated learning was the three phases of change/transitions:EndingThe … [Read more...]

The living floor covered with ripped and shredded wrapping. Boxes tilting precariously, leaning to the right. Family still lounging in pajamas playing with their presents.Ah, Christmas morn.But slowly that day or the next, the Christmas clutter gets picked up and the front room returns to normal. Tired of leftovers, even the refrigerator receives a good cleaning.Then I begin eyeing the Christmas décor. I wonder what the current protocol is on how long to leave up all the decorations? I know I like to have most of it put away by end of the year or it too become clutter.I take the stack of Christmas cards and reread them one more time. The pile is moved by my chair in my office where I pray, read my morning devotions, and spend time with God. I select a card each day, praying for that person.    What other year-end clutter needs to be sorted, ordered, and transported out of my life?·      Like clothes that don’t fit and never will, is it time to let go of some hopes and dreams that seem … [Read more...]