The rodeo–always a fun {slightly concerning} family affair. On a recent trip, while watching the mutton busting, cue obnoxious cheering that embarrassed our teenagers {parent win}, and shamelessly adoring the little darlings holding on for dear life–I couldn’t help but notice the sheep {already ridden} congregating in a corner of the large arena. It was fascinating and…… Continue reading Ears to Hear and the Will to Follow
Blindsided. Never saw it coming. Ever uttered those words? There is deep vulnerability assumed in such responses–evidenced by the undertone of surprise. I like to plan–you know–keep things nice and tidy. If possible, I’d do this with every area of my life. Emotions, faith, disappointments, friendships, etc. Keep things under control. A few weekends ago, while attending…… Continue reading A Story, A Question and A Crossroad
We all have one. It shapes our decisions and perceptions. Our relationship filters include them. Backstory: a narrative providing a history or background context… Without discipline, knowledge of another’s backstory can lead to prejudices, or unwarranted judgments. In selfishness–or self-preservation–we can use another’s backstory to justify our own actions. For example, if you happen to feel…… Continue reading Backstory
It was the intersection of my guilt and the Lord’s prompting. My breathing became shallow and my heart thumped wildly. With everything in me, I didn’t like where this was leading. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget. Jesus was directing me to confess my failure—to Him…and to someone I wronged. Confession. There’s something we…… Continue reading The Liberating Power of Confession
You shouldn’t ask us to fish-sit. We are not reliable. We’ve had 3 (count them aloud 1, 2, 3) beta fish that are no longer. Don’t laugh…let me explain. Beta fish number one: his name was Rico. He was adopted into our family when I married my husband. Our big kids were young and just…… Continue reading Fish Tales and Parasite Problems
Not long ago, while riding in the car with my husband, my youngest son posed a curious question. He asked, “What is an angel-omie?” My husband contemplated his question and grappled with the origin of the inquiry. My son directed his father back to the song playing on the radio and then he understood. Chris Tomlin…… Continue reading Between the Dashes
I stared at the giant, broken Lego set and secretly hoped to find a way out of “repairing” it. Although I didn’t have a hand in its original creation, I previously performed emergency surgery. With this particular robot, or machine, or {who knows what it is}–parts just seemed to consistently fall off! So, I did…… Continue reading Broken, Leftover Pieces
Remember chain letters? They originated as the means for spreading a message, swapping stickers or raising money. There is a similar trend happening in the blogging world-only it’s not an effort to raise money, but to expose readership to different [and in some cases] new blogs. It’s like a cyber high-five!! Several blog friends (many that I…… Continue reading I Never Wanted to Blog
Ordinarily–I try to sit close to the front to optimize my attention and minimize my distraction. On occasion-due to tardiness, or a full house-I don’t have the benefit of sitting close. This past weekend, as I climbed the steps of the bleachers, I just knew I would miss the message because I’d be “busy” watching pedestrians en route to the bathroom…or…… Continue reading A Beautiful Distraction
After much reflection regarding the mentality of more, and my default tendency to restlessness, I remembered a song written by a sweet friend-and wanted to share it with you. It’s rushing and it’s raging and the noise pounds in my ear The world is spinning faster as the days turn into years When I take…… Continue reading Enough
Alyssa DeLosSantos 