I Three years old, my grandson played happily with the boy next door as I kept vigil with my chair and book, content to be in the autumn air. He caught sight of me, lighting up with joy, ran to me as always, eager for embrace and kiss, but then I watched—I’m a witness! Delight fell away. He moderated himself, arriving nonchalant. Come as a … Continue reading Glory
Some of my favorite people are farmers. They are practical, resilient, smart, deeply committed to their work, and graced with a sense of humor, if only for longevity’s sake. A few weeks ago a cattle farmer named Russell Christensen died. He was a dedicated father and grandfather, a wise leader in his church and community, a fun-loving storyteller, and a key player in the growth … Continue reading For Russell
I am Deborah. Named after a woman who lived thousands of years ago. Sage, prophet, tribal mother. Her tale anomalous, her voice a string Yahweh strummed undeniably in desperate times. The impending story unfurled before her as familiar as the line on her palm, insistent as the blood of afterbirth. She was not your typical judge. Deborah means “little bee” and “seeking one.” Some bees … Continue reading The Existence of Other Things
The longer I watch him the more I wonder whether the Cross of Jesus was not the only moment our saving happened, as if such cruelty could solve an inevitable, deadly equation. Perhaps it was only the penultimate moment to resurrection’s triumph— though unheralded, un-choired— the sealing of love’s new first word. But even then it would be hollow without all those other interruptions: the … Continue reading The Time It Takes
“Family reunion.” Most people have a reaction to the phrase, good or bad. For us, it is very good. Every other year my five siblings and I—the Janssen clan—gather from the East coast and the Midwest for several days of catching up and simply enjoying each other’s company. We make connections from time to time in between, but this is our traditional touch point, highly … Continue reading I Wish You This
In July my husband and I took a side trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg before meeting my family in North Carolina for our biennial reunion. He has enjoyed reading about the Civil War, so we were excited to have the chance to stay in Gettysburg itself (right next to the house where Abraham Lincoln polished his famous address!). We hired a personal guide who took … Continue reading Gettysburg
I look out at the non-air-conditioned unvacuumed, untidied backyard and see life teeming every leaf unfurled from a bud two months ago goldfinches hatched from eggs. My cat sleeps on his tail-cushion. He was a kitten once and I was an embryo before that. The rug under my feet came from seeds fibers woven by some hands that once rested on mothers’ breasts Native life … Continue reading July Morning
Spring can’t decide snow rain sun Snow today Wind can’t decide which way to blow today west east swirl catch One thing the snow knows without a doubt Down Continue reading Knowing
Fallen seed hidden not taken. Moistened overtaken broken. Awakened called out to outgrow its death fill its latent shape push and seek the light bathe breathe earth’s air enfold time into its fiber defying gravity. Smooth shell greying crusting itself into wizened story. Green hands receive radiant life reshaping taking shape pushing up to reach for more of itself. Divine seed fallen into … Continue reading Eucharist
My friend Terry was a farmer, a man who embodied faith and joy. Rising early first thoughts of tasks toil contained in a vessel of trust and praise and thanks Pulling on worn jeans familiar as the breakfast and markets soft voices going over the day’s schedule flexible as farming requires prayer intention a joke or two a wry acceptance of what is here … Continue reading For Terry
saint sinner seeker 