We do these things in the dark, sometimes. Before our heart awakens, drumming against our chest. Then we know we are setting out into a new space---wide open space with God.We are made to love certain things. You may have an affinity for sewing, or singing, running, or keeping a calm head under pressure. You may love time by yourself to think, or maybe you just can't get enough of a crowd around you, the voices of others infusing you with energy and inspiration. Or, again, maybe you love both, sometimes.Because of the particular things you love to do, and the particular way in which you love to do them, you see the world differently from those around you. You have had unique experiences, wounds, life lessons, and adventures that no one else has. And for this reason, the way you worship God with your life is going to look different from anyone else.What does worship look like for you? What visual do you have in your mind when you even hear the word?When I think of worship I think of David dancing, with exuberance and unselfconsciousness, before God.David was unashamed. He was unreserved. He was all in and responded to the love he felt for his Father. He couldn't imagine holding anything back. . . . Read More . . .

There are jewels dangling above the grass. Golden, shimmering in light. I see them when I look up, my hands on the ground, nails filled with wet brown dirt.I am pulling weeds from tufts of grass. Dandelions are about to sprout, and I pull up the plants by their roots. My daughter knows to not blow any white dandelion puff, as wild and beautiful as it is, anywhere near our front or back yard. I'm kind of crazy about this.And now I'm bent down, hands in dirt, pulling up unwanted plants from our yard. Tiny clover and tall rye grass and those sneaky dandelion plants that make me mutinous and determined to pull out each and every one. Sunlight blankets my bare neck. And I look up and see green leaves hanging, sparkly magic dangling, love notes against blue sky. These leaves are wanted; I've decided they are beautiful, desired. While I pull up these other weeds, unwanted and clever, from my poor little grass patch of yard.Father, what do You deem beautiful, worthy, holy? How do we pray to You? How do we recognize the beauty You see? Read More . . .

This Monday can feel heavy, a weight we carry. It is the expectation to not expect anything good. But we push through.We push through because we remember these days are not supposed to be easy.We push through because in the difficulty, the doubt, we choose to remember we are not alone.We choose to remember the God of Joshua, who went before and conquered armies and fulfilled every promise.We choose to remember the God of Eve and Adam in the garden, who walked with his daughter and son and delighted in being with them.We choose to remember the God of Moses and Elijah, who calls each of us by name. Read More . . .

This is how I want to spend these next days of Advent this Christmas: slowing, listening, waiting. In the midst of busy, seek peace. In the midst of messy, be okay. When life feels especially full, we can just take that deep breath, wait on the one who knows who we are and what we need.