I Said, "Yes" To Writing On The Walls

I said it sort of jokingly. 

I didn't think anything of it. 

We could write our gratitude on the wall.

We are going to paint in here someday. 

(It hasn't been painted since 1989. . ."ain't nobody got time for that")

The walls are filthy and stained with hand prints. 

Drawings from the kids and those infamous height marks. 

A legacy of Elijah on the wall. 

A tangible record of his exsistance here. 

A reminder. 

So, we clean up from physical nourishment 
and the Ancient Word. 
My farmer hesitates before he leaves. 
It is not until he is gone that I see what he has done. 

He took that marker and he penned his thoughts. 
The start of a day of thankfulness. 
The other kids joined in. 
That older farm girl had to have a title and have it make sense. 
We hope family and friends will join in with us. 
We don't know how to walk this road. 
Everything we know is changed;
and continues to change. 

Somehow this writing on the wall feels right. 

Naming that for which we are thankful. 
Maybe it's because we're writing on a wall!
 Or maybe it's causing us to step into gratitude. 
Where ever you are today, may you find something to be thankful for. 


Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie. 

Sometimes it's what we need. 

A little baking. 

A plan. 

Some sunshine. 

Sometimes, life is not what we expected  

We can not give in to the despair and sadness. 

It fights to pull us under. 

Threatens to undermine our joy. 

So, make a pie. 

Spread some sunshine. 

Do one thing you know you should. 

And above all else. 

Give thanks. 

 Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever.

Our hope is not in the temporal things of this earth. 

They are all fleeting. 

Our hope lies in One who has sacrificed all so we might live. 

To that hope, we cling. 

Fighting today to remain in the everlasting arms. 

Grateful for hope. 

 Because when the missing grabs hold and the ache so heavy. 

The only thing left to do is open the hands and rest in the power of the Holy One. 

David Crowder

I Am

Lessons Learned While Baking Bread

What do you do when the temperatures plummet?

When there are no eggs or cereal for breakfast. 

When the Oatmeal won't feed 6?

When the dollar you need to stretch can't go any further? 

When the great niece is there at 6 a.m?

You pull those farm memories to life.

You close your eyes and think of warm bread baking. 

You remember the strong arms of your mother in law. 

The sweet grace baked into each bite. 

And the healing art of kneading bread. 

Moment by moment working the yeast through. 

Lessons learned while baking bread. 

So I stand next to the wee one. 

And share God's love. 

Together we work. 

Side by side. 

In the quiet. 

And my soul is filled. 

Soon my farmer and children will feast. 

There is warmth in the kitchen. 

Nourishment in the oven. 

A peace that passes all understanding. 

When grief and cancer and CT scans and life swirl; 

lean into the lessons learned while baking bread. 

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.