My Story
I am first-generation Canadian and first-generation Christian. Becoming a Canadian was easy. Becoming a Christian, well, that’s another story.
Family
Losing Loved Ones
When you lose a loved one, someone saying to you, “Well you had him as a husband for over 50 years” does not remove the pain or heartache and seems less than compassionate.
Secrets and Lies
“It’s like God has been looking out for me,” she wrote. “I don’t know why God does this. I’m feeling so worthless and so down because once again, I’ve been lied to, and humiliated.”
Heaps of Hospitality
Being a Presbyterian minister, I promised I would find a place for the reception, believing that the local Presbyterian church would be able to accommodate us.
Surprised by Joy
Are you familiar with the concept of choosing a word of the year? The idea is to pick a word to focus on, meditate on and reflect on in daily life throughout the year. In January 2015, I chose the word joy.
A Fragile Bereavement
For Sarah, the picture of the fetus on her ultrasound confirmed that it was a reality. And when Sarah lost her first baby in the 16th week of her pregnancy, being told she was “only four months along” made it no easier to lose.
A New Normal
But the New Year brings, as it always must, a return to routine. Auld claes and porridge, as my Scottish mum would tell you, and that’s frugal January.
A Long Road
Ten years ago, I sat on a bridge in France and ate my breakfast. The Spouse and I were on the cusp of a long walk across Spain, but we lingered that morning.
Shining Some Jesus Light
Addy then asked if you could see Jesus inside of you and wondered, “If you went to the doctor so he could look at your skeleton, would Jesus show up in the picture?”
Did I?
Did I? I wonder, sit on the floor and truly admire my children?
Catching Fish… and Toddlers
Sometimes the lectionary floors me. The juxtaposition of passages can be brilliant or bizarre, and when I saw what was slotted for January, I had […]
Life in the Village
My sister-in-law has three kids—ages four, three and newly born. They talk of wanting a fourth. Soon. As a mother of two and totally-not-having-any-more, I just smile and shake my head.
Saying Grace
In two weeks’ time, I’ve got a lovely assignment. I’ve been asked to say grace before the meal at the wedding of two dear friends. […]
Living into the Story
“Mama,” my nephew Zachary said, his six-year-old brow furrowed, “I think I would have looked back, too.”
On Being Single
My heart goes out to Cheryl Bradbee. At times I feel very lonely in the middle of a crowd because I am not currently part […]
Mind the Gap
Love me tender, love me true… scratch that. How about: “When a ma – an loves a wo – man …” Never mind. Can an […]
The Improbable Possible
Although Teresa is tiny, she speaks forcefully, powerfully, quickly. We meet in my office because she needs a break from home. She learned of my […]
Getting on with your Life
How can I help make a change for the better as an ordained minister of the church? How can my past experience help others find peace with God, with themselves and within their church family? How can I help others on their journey?
Getting on with your Life
My church offered no support groups for the separated or divorced. My friends were all married. When your marriage breaks up there is an aloneness that you feel — it's as if part of your life has been torn away from you. It is unnatural and surreal. So how do you get on with life as you ride this emotional roller coaster of sadness and sorrow? You don't. You just go through it the best way you can and find help wherever you can.