Long walks and dark chocolate

Minor Details

August 12, 2026 5 Comments

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

This morning I woke up with a few things on my mind. There are several moving pieces regarding our property. There were questions about permits, electrical inspections, a 911 address, and other things I can’t control. I never like being in that place where I don’t know the exact timeline or outcome.

On top of that, I needed to call several printing shops to find a way to help my husband get a piece of his artwork printed. The canvas material we had purchased wasn’t compatible with our printer, and we had a shipping deadline. This had to be resolved today.

My husband and I did our morning devotions, reading from the Old and New Testaments and spending some time in prayer, and then he headed off to work. As I continued to pray, I found my mind constantly wandering back to all those details.

I opened my Bible app to see the verse of the day, and lo and behold, there it was:

“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41–42, NLT

Immediately, my mouth broke into a grin. I think I even chuckled out loud. This type of thing happens often.

The Lord and His guidance never cease to amaze me. That verse meant more to me sitting on the couch, anxious and distracted, than I think it ever had before. It was personal. It was relevant. And its truth dug into my very soul.

I’m so grateful for the Word of God. It is indeed living and powerful. It pierces through the noise and exposes the thoughts and intentions of my heart.

The things requiring my attention that morning were real. They still needed phone calls, decisions, and follow-up. But somewhere along the way, I had allowed details that needed my attention to become details that consumed my attention.

Jesus reminded me what mattered most.

Permits would get handled. Phone calls would be made. The printing problem would eventually be solved. Some things would happen on my timeline, and others wouldn’t.

But none of those details deserved the place in my heart that belongs to Him.

Reflection: What details are consuming my attention today? Have I allowed something that needs my attention to take my attention away from the Lord?

Sourdough and Jesus

July 18, 2026 3 Comments

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35

Today, before I ate my breakfast; organic, free-range eggs, and sourdough bread with real butter, I prayed over my food that I was doing and would continue to do what I can to take care of my temple.

Steaming sourdough bread on wire rack with cast iron pot and oven mitt in background

The bread has always been, and likely always will be, my favorite part. We order ours from a company that uses fresh ingredients and ships frozen. All I have to do is preheat the oven, pop it on the rack for 18 to 20 minutes and enjoy.

I can never wait to cut that first slice, the loaf is warm, its crust a deep crackled gold that shatters under the knife with a satisfying crunch. A thin ribbon of steam escapes, carrying that unmistakable sourdough perfume.

The butter I generously apply melts quickly into the tender interior. That first bite gives a nice crunch, and my taste buds are not satisfied with the mere nibble.

The flavor deepens as I eat; nutty, faintly sweet, and with that signature sourdough flavor. A fresh slice isn’t just food; it’s a perfect moment of warmth and indulgence to me.

You may already know where I’m going with this.

Jesus called himself the bread of life. He isn’t ordinary bread that leaves you hungry again, but the kind that nourishes to the very marrow.

My sourdough warm from the oven and glistening with butter is a fleeting beautiful shadow of that greater reality; daily bread made holy by gratitude, by presence, and by willingness to tear and share.

So, I eat. Slowly and reverently.

And for a moment, my kitchen table feels like holy ground. The loaf is a quiet reminder that life is given, broken, and received with open hands.

Looking Up

May 20, 2026 2 Comments

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 My husband loves to fish. He enjoys fishing from the shore, and here in […]

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Who Do You Look Like?

May 8, 2026 2 Comments

My cousin has an adorable little boy, Bennett, who looks just like his dad. Not long ago, at a family gathering, I overheard several people say things like, “He is the spitting image of his dad,” and “He sure does favor him.” We hear phrases like that often when a child strongly resembles a parent. […]

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Pointing Others to Joy

May 1, 2026 3 Comments

Curved road through green fields and flowering trees with hills in the background

“Don’t point.” We were taught this as children, and many of us have taught it to our own. I remember those tiny fingers and the excited, “Look, Mommy!” and the quiet hope that what they had spotted was a butterfly, a bird, or even the candy counter at the grocery store. Please, not another person. […]

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Seeing Clearly: Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:12

April 27, 2026 4 Comments

Eyeglasses resting on moss with small white flowers and green plants around in a forest

The author reflects on a morning spent outdoors without glasses, paralleling it to the spiritual concept of seeing “through a glass darkly.” Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:12, they emphasize the limitations of understanding in life. However, there’s hope for clearer understanding in the future, highlighting love’s role in navigating uncertainty.

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Morning Glory: A Prayerful Journey of Heart and Soul

April 24, 2026 12 Comments

Today is a new morning, a new gift. Sitting on my back porch, the sunlight peeking through the trees from a serene blue sky, with a slight chill in the air, the day couldn’t be more peaceful or beautiful. The only sounds are birdsong and childish laughter from a nearby school playground. It’s a prayerful […]

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It’s Finished Again

March 29, 2026 6 Comments

There is something both familiar and entirely new about finishing a book. I remember the first time, the mix of excitement, uncertainty, and the quiet question in the back of my mind: Will this matter to anyone else the way it matters to me? And now, here I am again, holding something that began as […]

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An oldie, but good for the season

December 7, 2025 Leave a Comment

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What the River Knows

November 17, 2025 6 Comments

I sat upon the bank atop the mossy bed.Settling in, I watched it pass, while visions filled my head.What tales could old man River tell? The stories he must know.Of seasons, weather, work, and play; of people, friend or foe? The rains of spring that fall for weeks and raise his levels high,The welcome heat […]

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