Categories
Devotional Making Disciples Memoir

Paying attention

Paying attention makes a difference. 

I think about this while watering the brown, straggly plant in our front yard. The one that missed automatic sprinkler showers.

My failure to notice is part of the issue. Properly caring for plants is not  my wheelhouse. 

In the tropics, where I was raised? Plants grew green year round. Rain fell in abundance. And planting seeds for science projects yielded quick results. Green shoots before the week was out. Sometimes overnight.

This sad-looking specimen tells another story. 

Paying attention. Image by Jonathan Kemper.
Categories
Crossing Cultures Memoir

Safest place

We heard it repeated. Often. “Being in the center of God’s will is the safest place to be.”

Well, yes. 

But safest can be interpreted in different ways. 

We were living in a city where Taliban congregated and proliferated. 

One political party’s slogan read “Sell your televisions and buy guns.” As they sought to overthrow the ruling party by force. 

Safest was not the first word that came to mind.

Safest place.
Categories
Devotional

Watch and pray

“Watch and pray.”

Jesus said this to His followers. In the hours leading up to His arrest and trial and crucifixion. 

Garden of Gethsemane. Place of excruciating surrender. 

“Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Watch and pray. Image by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.