Consolation Beyond a Smile – Tasting Courage
I am not a very adventurous eater. As a lifelong vegetarian, my options are often limited from the start. In unfamiliar settings I wonder about hidden pork fat and disguised fish sauce …steakhouses and seafood restaurants are the worst. I eat the side salad and the...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – Tears of Consolation
If you are like me, you’ve shed tears of happiness at some point in your lifetime. But have you ever shed tears of consolation? I’ll bet you have, and you didn’t realize it at the time. There is a difference between tears of happiness and tears of consolation. ...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – Increase in Love
“I don’t know what I am going to do,” my friend Tony slowly shook his head as I inquired about his anticipation of his second child. “Monique, I’m really afraid. I love my first-born daughter so much; I am terrified that I will have no love left for this new little...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – Stepping Forward with Hope in Things Unseen
The idea of hope is never far from my mind. One only has to turn on the TV, visit a news website, or scroll through social media to be bombarded with headlines about the state of the world–most full of doom and division. As a middle-aged Millennial, existential...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – Increase in Faith
I got a text from a young woman that I sponsor: ‘My husband relapsed. I am so angry.’ I texted back, ‘I am available to talk.’ After a few minutes my phone rang and my young friend lamented the series of events that occurred all the while waffling back and forth...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – Rest in the Peace of God’s Hands
I’m glad you can’t see me right now. If you could imagine me writing this post, I hope you would imagine me sitting in a lovely, cozy writing space - but no, there is no cozy here. We have just moved back into our home after 5 months of unexpected delays,...
Consolation Beyond a Smile – What is Consolation?
What is Consolation? A few weeks ago I was sitting on my bed folding a load of laundry as my children were finishing up their homework. After only a few minutes, my youngest son climbed onto the bed for a hug. When I told him to go play, he giggled and asked,...
The Need is the Call – How do I Stand in my Call?
How do I Stand in my Call? Over the past few weeks, "Into the Deep" writers have shared their personal stories about following through on their calling, despite facing challenges. Scripture tells us that the needs of those around us drive our calling. The guidance...
The Need is the Call – What if I Can’t See a Way to Use My Gifts?
What if I Can't See a Way to Use My Gifts? When I dump out the 500 pieces of a new puzzle, the colors and shapes all jumble together. All the pieces are there but the picture those pieces will form is still fragmented. Gradually, as I work, the nuances of color,...
The Need is the Call – Responding to the Suffering We See With Jesus
Responding to the Suffering we see with Jesus “Everything you need is in the room.” “Trust the process.” These are the two sentences I have lived and learned with for the past 12 months of Chaplaincy training. Much of our work with hospital patients is entering...
