Playing piano. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Tickling the ivories, and sometimes pounding them, gives voice to my thoughts and emotions. When I sit down at the piano, especially when I’m playing for worship, it feels as if God is right there with me on the piano bench. His presence feels close. Real. Some of my most joyful piano memories come from big, meaningful moments — like touring years ago with Pastor Doug and Donna Fagerstrom and a group from Wooddale Church while performing The Witness. The music Continue Reading
The Shepherds Got it Right
Grab a chair and slide it in close. Put a soft pillow on your lap so your arms can rest. Lean in. Imagine we’re sitting together in a quiet place with our slippers on, comfortable in the easy way friends are, while I gently remind you … God is good. And He’s got good things planned for you. Maybe those words make you feel a bit twitchy. Maybe you’re thinking, Hmmm… I must have stepped out of line when they were handing out good things. Because this doesn’t feel like your current situation, and you’re having trouble seeing good Continue Reading
Lefse Plates and Fairy Tales
Cooking is not my happy place. Any meal that needs more than three ingredients and a stove sends me searching for takeout menus. Thankfully, at Thanksgiving my sister hosts a family feast, which means I get to show up with something safe: lefse already buttered and divided into brown- and white-sugar plates. But here’s the thing: I feel guilty about not cooking. Like there’s some unwritten rule that says “real Thanksgiving women” spend three days in the kitchen, humming hymns while basting turkeys. And that little twinge of guilt? Continue Reading
Ready to Reignite Your Spirit?
Sometimes I need a kick in the butt. Other times? I just need a nap. And isn’t it just like God to offer both? Acts 22:10 says, “What should I do, Lord?” And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go.’” Oh my. Yes. I bet you’ve heard that direction too, right? God didn’t place us here–at this time, in this place—to stand still. He has something for us to do. We are part of his beautiful plan. And we can’t respond to his call if we refuse to move. I’ve discovered that God uses two different voices with me when He wants me to move. Sometimes Continue Reading
Life is Good. Settle In.
I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love? Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it. And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in Continue Reading
Pink Crocs and Everyday Confetti
Sometimes the most profound conversations happen in grocery store parking lots with five-year-old wearing pink Crocs. I was coming out of the store when I spotted this little guy and told him his shoes were pretty cool. Oh my goodness, did that open the floodgates. Out poured this delightful stream of consciousness about his blue sucker, those amazing pink Crocs with their tiny giraffe decorations, tomorrow's promised new toy, how his baby brother was going to play with it too, and (announced with a squeal) “Tomorrow I’m going to be Continue Reading