When I reflect on hope, I fall (metaphorically) into the arms of God. It is there—in the safety and care of the Divine Presence—that I feel most hopeful.

My spiritual director and I were conversing, and she asked me how I am doing in my spiritual walk. “Well,” I said, “ I think I have weathered the storm of transition pretty well over the last few years, with retiring and moving to Mexico with my husband.”

Lent has become a special time for me. I love the call to the desert and taking time to listen for God to “speak tenderly” to my heart (Hosea 2:14).

A scary health challenge brings a deeper understanding of God's Grace. A touching Lenten reflection to help fuel your hope.

As a former TV journalist, it is sad for me to write this reflection. Still, I believe it is an important subject in light of so much upheaval in the U.S. and around the world. How do we find courage to watch the news?

I don’t know about you, but I like the years that go smoothly. The ones when all my plans seem to flow, my family and friends are healthy and happy, and there is no turmoil from an unexpected life event. Can you relate to this?

I’ve been thinking about the storms of life lately, and how they can pop up without warning. On December 13th of last year, we received the shocking news that my husband's cousin Ralph had passed away from a massive heart attack. Just like that, he was gone.

Here I am sitting in my hospital gown feeling vulnerable and scared. I had a mammogram a week earlier, and they called me back for another look. With my phone in my assigned locker, I am forced to “Be still” (Psalm 46:10).

The invitation to focus on a new word for the upcoming year is a January ritual for Retreat, Reflect, Renew. This year, I invite you to join me in practicing this ritual a little differently and see what happens.

Where in your life are you holding onto something that no longer brings life, and what might become possible if you released it? Listen to this heartfelt story to inspire you to answer that very question.

When you hear the word “sacred,” what comes to mind? Perhaps it is an innate knowledge that all are connected to God in some mysterious way, and you have a burning desire to feel that connection in your longing for comfort, strength, and understanding of life during a time when the world feels to many like it is on fire.

What do you hope for when you pray for God's guidance? How do you cry out to God in your most frustrating or darkest moments? What words come out? You may not know how to answer these questions, and that is okay. If you are listening for signs of hope, I invite you to begin by expanding your mind and heart to all the ways God is showing you them in the present moment.

Hope exists. We must believe that. In what ways can we cultivate it? Can we be hope for others? I invite you to go within when you are asking these questions. That is where you can find a sustainable hope, rooted in God’s love and mercy.

I have found that resting takes on a whole new meaning when you invite yourself to not only rest, but to rest in God’s love. This focus brings on a deeper dimension. It is an invitation to open yourself up—mind, body, and soul—to replenish at the core of your being.  

What do you do when your questions have no answers? Or no good answers? When no answers bring comfort? What about when there is more than one answer, leaving you unsure which to believe? Start by sitting with these questions. Let them linger. Give them space to breathe. Think of them as seeds being planted in your heart.

If the amount of suffering around the world has you feeling frustrated or sad, you may read this and think, “What? The last thing we should be talking about right now is celebrating!” Or maybe you have a number of reasons to celebrate. Regardless of your initial reaction, I invite you this month to ponder the importance and meaning of celebrations as a vital part of our personal and spiritual growth. 

Beauty meets the needs of our soul. When there is a deep longing for beauty, there is a deep longing for God. In the middle of a deep disappointment, loss, or stressful situation and desperately wanting a connection with the Divine, the invitation is to look for one piece of goodness around you.

It is common to focus on giving something up during Lent. This time of fasting can help us outgrow unhealthy habits or attitudes that get in the way of our relationship with God. Yet there is much to be gained from tending to feasting as well. I invite you to ponder on the following fasting and feasting suggestions this Lent.

“Every day we begin again” can speak to your journey of mercy, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, new ideas, dreams, and second chances. It serves as a reminder to give yourself and others a fresh start. 

As we begin this new year, I am thinking a lot about the word “commitment.” How do you react when you hear the word commitment? What is your relationship with commitments? I invite you to reflect on this as you reflect on your intentions and how you want to enter into the new year.