Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “2025 Lenten Devotional”
In December 1985, my daughter Laura was born a month early with genetic abnormalities that were not compatible with life. The only prognosis was death, most likely within a week. On day 6, I was at the hospital rocking, singing, and praying. Then I told God that I had to leave in about a half hour. I prayed that if Laura was to die that day, it be while I was with her, so she would feel my love. … Read the rest “Wednesday, April 23”
When my brother and I talk about our mother, we always say, “We had the best mom.” I know a lot of people think their mom was the best, but trust me, Jean Oertel wins the prize.
I grew up in Southern California (a Dodger fan, but I eventually saw the error of my ways) but moved northward to San Luis Obispo, Seattle and finally to Napa. My mom loved it here and we moved her here when she as in her 80s, after my Dad died.… Read the rest “Tuesday, April 22”
“Grief holds strange graces…”
Who of us haven’t’ experienced grief? Its universal. Grief can be felt as actual physical pain, emotional pain and more. I think some form of grief is felt with any loss; loss of a relationship, loss of a beloved pet, loss of your once healthy joints. Loss of our freedoms. Inevitable losses.
Grief is intense sorrow, it is personal, it is sadness, it is heartbreak. The women at the tomb! How could they go on? … Read the rest “Monday, April 21”
Almost 40 years ago, I spent three weeks visiting United Methodist Church-sponsored mission projects in Central American countries. This trip, along with a whole lot of background reading, was done to prepare to teach in the United Methodist Women’s School of Christian Mission. (The UMW SCM has changed its name to the United Women in Faith’s Mission U.)
While in Nicaragua, in the midst of military conflict and strife, we visited a women’s cooperative which produced well-made clothing and crafts which were sold to provide income for the cooperative members and their families.… Read the rest “Easter Sunday, April 20”
Anyone who knows me, knows that it is hard for me to “keep silent”. I think I haven’t learned that lesson yet! I speak up. And the outcome, for me personally, isn’t always great. I am reflecting on my life.
My mother fell into dementia and was sadly removed from her beautiful home in SF (with a bay view and her kitty cat and fabulous antiques) into a ‘memory care’ place – none of her fabulous possessions, no views, no external access, no kitty, no cigarettes. … Read the rest “Saturday, April 19”
My Favorite Martian was a sitcom in the 1960s about a Martian learning to live on earth after his spaceship crash-landed. “Uncle Martin” had retractable antenna in his head, and to communicate with his home planet he raised them for good reception. I was in a Covenant Discipleship Group, based on John Wesley’s Class Meetings, and learned about the “nudges” and “warnings” of the Holy Spirit. I was familiar with the concepts of coincidence, hunch, and intuition, but becoming aware of the Holy Spirit’s activity or movement in me – described as nudges and warnings – was new.… Read the rest “Good Friday, April 18”
As a general rule, I try to not speak for others. Even though I’m the Band’s resident diva, I append statements to sentences like, “…if that’s okay with you,” and so on. But there are a few places where I speak for others.
One is for my brother. After his accident nearly 16 years ago, Brad doesn’t communicate in typical ways. Brad communicates in more subtle ways; facial expressions, finger gestures, hand squeezes, and hugs. (And yes, he uses THAT hand gesture too.)… Read the rest “Thursday, April 17”
