The ritual of everyday prayers
Living Faithfully

The ritual of everyday prayers

Like many new parents, I constantly heard the refrain “They grow up so fast” when my children were babies. Parents say this, of course, because it’s true. In the blink…
Prayers for the new school year
Living Faithfully

Prayers for the new school year

Focal verse “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray” (Proverbs 22:6). Reflection Next to bookshelves in our living room lies a pile of items:…
Encourage wonder
Living Faithfully

Encourage wonder

Good stories not only stay with us, they shape us. They shape our choices, thoughts and beliefs. If we want to shape our kids’ faith beliefs, we are better off…
Teaching prayer
Living Faithfully

Teaching prayer

Focal verse “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). Reflection Encouraging our kids…
Stewards of our bodies at every stage
Living Faithfully

Stewards of our bodies at every stage

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). At 6:30 a.m., my son approaches me. “Dad, can I do some yoga?”…
The power of presence
Living Faithfully

The power of presence

Focal verse “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s…
Faithful families
Living Faithfully

Faithful families

In ELCA congregations, families come in myriad shapes, sizes and expressions. Each family is vibrant and unique, but all share a common belief in God that is nurtured through worship…
Love across the generations
Living Faithfully

Love across the generations

Focal verse And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Reflection The church bells rang, signaling the beginning of worship. Members processed…
Empty shelves and questions
Living Faithfully

Empty shelves and questions

First, a confession: As a woman of privilege, I’ve rarely wanted for daily bread. But last March, while I stared at barren grocery shelves, panic rose. I worried how I…
Blessings through life’s seasons
Living Faithfully

Blessings through life’s seasons

With his small hand reaching out to be held and his blue eyes looking up, he asks, “I go with, Mama?” I’m standing at our front door, bag in hand,…
What our children witness
Living Faithfully

What our children witness

Focal verse “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Reflection  Once a month (pre-pandemic), the church we attend…
God or mother? Both
Living Faithfully

God or mother? Both

For a long time I was pleasantly indifferent to the ubiquitous metaphor of God as our parent (usually as father). I was raised by two loving parents who did not…