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The Transformation of Anxiety
I had an excellent session with my counselor a few days ago. While in the waiting room, I thought about the productive two weeks I’d just had. I jotted down a list of things I wanted to talk about. So we talked about a lot. We talked about safe places, we talked about mindfulness, we…
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Nixing Route Six
I’m now at the tail end of a two-week vacation from my job. It’s been mostly a stay-cation, with a few day trips to find labyrinths and other assorted things. But it wasn’t always supposed to be this way. The original plan was that I would take a long, several day trip. I was going…
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A Fracture in a Safe Space
It was July 2024. I was sitting in my office, when I received an email from Bear Creek Camp. Bear Creek Camp is the outdoor ministry of the Northeastern PA and Southeastern PA Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. My email notifier pinged twice, because it arrived in two of my inboxes: my…
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Back in the Rhythm
It has been way, way, way too long since I blogged regularly. I am changing that this week. If you’re a subscriber to my Substack, Biblia Luna, you should have just received a copy of my first new issue there in some time. In it, I discuss where I’ve been and why I’m getting back…
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No More Judging
Just this morning, I officiated at the confirmation of five wonderful teenage youth in my congregation. Among them was my own child Alex. At our congregation, each confirmand chooses a Bible verse to be their “Confirmation Verse.” Perhaps this is either a favorite verse, or one that holds special meaning for them at this time…
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Hopefully It’s Enough
Sigh. I’ve gone a terribly long time since my last blog post – again. I don’t know what to say, except that it’s autumn. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the cooling temperatures, the shorter days. I love the falling leaves, the crunch under my feet. I love the amber hue the…
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Before We Get Started…
Last night, I did something a little scary. Maybe a little brave. Maybe a little foolish. It happened because I had a rough day. I got some emails and phone calls that involved some conflict between people, and I felt caught in the middle of it. I felt as though it was my job to…
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Where Have I Been? Scribbling.
Where have I been? I haven’t been around lately. I’ve been going through the motions, but not really here. I’ve been multitasking, but all the tasks are just distractions from where I really belong. And where’s that? Here. Here with me. I haven’t been here with me. Where have I been? Nearby. Not too far.…
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It’s Not Easy Seeing Green
The Dark Voice has been with me since childhood. My closest companion, my eternal shadow. It’s the part of me that hates me, that wants me to feel miserable. It tells me: You are worthless. It tells me: You are only hurting people. Above all, it tells me: You should have known better. This voice…
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Validating our Grief
So, this morning I was driving to my biweekly therapy session. Along the way I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Not Good. The episode I heard was about grief; the host Molly gave a very thoughtful and heartfelt monologue about what grief looks like, what it feels like, and shared some very…
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