Have you ever felt unseen, unwanted and unloved?  I’m learning a lot about control these days and one aspect of control that’s new to me is the idea of defensive control. Feelings like the ones I just mentioned often spring from how others treat us, and these feelings cause pain. […]

Sometimes I feel as though the girl I was and the woman I am are two completely unrelated people. There are similarities, of course. But life is so full of bumps and turns and chances to change… each year molds me into a person who is a little different from […]

I have a problem. Worried about those I love, I often strategize ways to make everything in their lives (and my own) turn out well. If I identify potential pitfalls, prevent mistakes and generally arrange matters in life, I can shape the future. My happiness (and theirs) is safe with […]

Most of us start life full of energy and enthusiasm. We’re young, able-bodied and eager. Then comes a shift that many of us go through, from invincible to fearful. What moved you along this path? It could be something as seemingly insignificant as bullies at school or as huge as […]

Although practical challenges are tough – fixing something that is broken, tidying something that’s a mess, walking a long distance –  I think, for all of us, mental and emotional challenges are tougher. You know what I mean. All of us deal with fear, anger, pride, resentment, unfulfilled longing, rejection… […]

I found peace in the desert. I found peace in the raging waves. I found peace in what you say… and I can finally breathe again. I found peace in the chaos. I found peace in suffering. I found peace in confusion. I found peace inside of me… and I […]

Recently someone recommended a book to our (on-line) church small group. The book describes Jesus as a beautiful outlaw and for the most part I really enjoyed it. By the time I hit the last chapter, I was expecting a hum drum summary, not something new, but the author took […]

Even at this time of reduced social interaction I keep (virtually) bumping into women who are sick or struggling.  There was a time when I thought I was the only odd one.  As a youngish woman living with a chronic condition, it seemed to me that the frustration and pain […]

As we begin a new year together, I want to share the words of this poem with you. It is written by Jan Richardson. For Those Who Have Far to Travel An Epiphany Blessing If you could see the journey whole you might never undertake it; might never dare the […]

I’ve lived with chronic illness for more than ten years now, and during that time have come to realize that for many of us – not just for me – life is complicated. It seemed to me, when I first got sick, that the loss and pain caused by my […]