I first discovered the safety and prison of silence when I was very young. In silence, I didn't have to prove anything - there was no "my word against his." Silence didn't explain away my "little misunderstanding" or minimize my hurt. It didn't ask me questions I couldn't answer. Silence never asked me why I... Continue Reading →
love magnified
What is this strange and messy uniting of souls unmet? Some intertwining of dangling, trampled heart-strings, Woven and braided and tucked into fleshy pockets. A network of human suffering; the world is small. Pain and fear and throat muscles drawn taut become a lens Illuminating love. Every compassionate response flashes neon And tears fall in... Continue Reading →
a time to lament
I've been fascinated with the power and purpose of lament, of grief, for a number of years now. I believe that lament is powerful. I believe that it is the first step toward change - it opens the door to the next step in a situation that has become unbearable. We live in a culture... Continue Reading →
white privilege
I feel a gentle conflict as I sit to put these thoughts on the page. On one hand, it's not my voice that is needed right now. I'd rather give space for the voices of those who have long been silenced, ignored. But I also feel this stirring. I feel my story - a confession... Continue Reading →
inner fire
I had a birthday recently. Birthdays are great if you like celebrations and cake and wishing on candles blown out. They are great for reflection and for reminding. I often need reminding to live intentionally. I tend to slip into allowing my life to live me. A birthday is a good nudge to tend the... Continue Reading →
a lament for Nova Scotia
Listen to my lament, Maker of earth and sky! This tightness in our lungs; these tears that rise unbidden; These overwhelming tremors of sorrow and grief; Demand a witness. Only the dead lie in their graves The rest of us are walking, breathing, Carrying death, our hearts ripped out, Slain and wounded and desolate... Continue Reading →
on being dismissive
What is this murder growing in my heart? This subtle arrogance of my own way – If all the light that shines, illuminating grace and peace and love Has come from You; a gift and not my doing, How, then, is my heart encased In such superiority? I proudly boast of broad-minded thinking; Of... Continue Reading →
love’s pupil
Fingers wrapped in fingers, twisting tightly, wringing gently; Blue eyes jumping, shifting, slowly looking up, imploring mine; Fear and shame rushing in her gaze, like wild ocean waves. “I’m uncertain about my sexuality,” She speaks bravely, quietly, questioningly. With tender honesty, fearfully asking me to still love her; Daughter whose very essence is my beating... Continue Reading →
the light that shines in the darkness
All the way back in January, I participated in a small group - only about 5 or 6 - who got together weekly to practice contemplative prayer. One week the passage we meditated on was from John 1. It was verses 1 to 5, but the printed passage was in a version I had never... Continue Reading →
recovery from self-betrayal
What is this deep rift in the time-space continuum of my soul? What is it that has been touched? It is a raw wound. A festering, unhealed gash in the innermost part of my being. But what is this wound? How is it I have such an open sore that I haven't tended to? Discovering... Continue Reading →
Something Deeper 