Recently this book, "The Representative Women of the Bible," published in 1907 caught my eye. It was high on the top shelf in the library - tucked between numerous modern and post-modern works about women. I've read so many books about women - written by women and written by men. The concept of woman, her... Continue Reading →
Gifts We Cherish
I've been working for months moving the books from my small study in a nook in our bedroom into what used to be my sewing studio. Today I asked myself where this passion for books came from and remembered a time when I was about six years old. I was kneeling in front of a... Continue Reading →
“Correcting a Lopsided Theology,” pt 2. Judges 13
If you've been following my writing you may be aware that I am focusing a good portion of my writing exploring the theology of disability. The subject of disability and the real-lived experience of the disabled naturally leads us to ask questions such as: What is the purpose of their suffering? Does every disabled individual... Continue Reading →
The Power of Life
Vickie celebrated her 71st birthday a while ago. Wouldn't the medical prophets from the past be surprised to discover how wrong they were in calculating the length of her life. I read somewhere that living-things thrive to continue to be alive. The will to live is a powerful force. A month before her birthday I... Continue Reading →
Silent No More
This post is about the insidious ways we silence others. While scrolling through my FB feed a few weeks ago, an ad for a new movie, Women Talking, popped up. The movie is based off the earlier book written by Miriam Toews. I watched the trailer, did some research, and quickly ordered the book from... Continue Reading →
Becoming Mama’s Little Helper
Playing House The milk separator was spinning and loudly clanking in the corner of the room doing its magic: separating the rich, delicious cream from the milk. The watery substance left behind (sold in today’s market as skim milk) was tossed out to the pigs. Vickie and I were playing house. I was six or... Continue Reading →
Mothering One Another
Weaker and Stronger I was trapped. I stretched my little hands as hard as I could, trying to swat at the ants swarming all over my face. My head was stuck on the other side of the headboard in the bed I shared with my sister Vickie. We were very young. I was a toddler,... Continue Reading →
Suffering is … ?
Bad theology keeps us up at night! I've spent years sorting through the reasons given for suffering. Several years ago I wrote briefly about what I called a child-like theodicy. I described how my older, disabled sister and I tried to make sense out of why she was born with cerebral palsy. We knew in... Continue Reading →
Community & Covid
What do you see? "See it," she asked in an excited voice, bubbling with glee! "See what?" I asked, quickly scanning the small screen on my phone for clues. I noticed her silver cup in the blue, cleverly designed swivel device. Years ago when she first moved into this new facility she was too shy... Continue Reading →
Our Weeping God.
Jesus Wept My nickname as a child was brenda-bawl-baby-nuss. My middle name is Jo, but bawl-baby prevailed. Often when caught in a crying-fit, usually at the dinner table, my dad would sing out: "Bawl-baby, Brenda. Bawl-baby, Brenda." Perhaps this was a father's misguided attempt to humor me into a state of calmness. It never worked.... Continue Reading →