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I stand here—the kitchen counteran altarwhere words come andprayers in opened hand.I raise my arms,eyes squeezed shutto the teapot’s reflective chrome,and make this vow:Nothing you sayI won’t believe.You’ve come too far,fought too many battles,for me to doubt you now.I love it here,preparing to be lovedso well. —jennifer j. camp This post appeared originally at jenniferjcamp.com

                I have been blessed to attend dozens and dozens of marriage ceremonies through the years.  Never does the beauty of a blushing and glowing bride or the look on her soon-to-be husband’s face, when she appears, get old.  I get butterflies as I think of the exciting journey they are about to embark upon. The joy of marriage is not talked about often enough!  In fact, I might venture to say that because I work in single parenting ministry, the marriage beauty can be overshadowed by the hardships that I often see in divorce or failed relationships.  Yet, the reality is, there is something wonderful about having a partner to do life with, to share experiences with, or to bounce ideas of...

It isn’t long before sunlight trickles in, glass-orbed particles bouncing,percolating like stars in rain. My boots crunch rock in wet-strewnpavement, Ireland green marryingsky-ocean blue. I remember, it wasn’t so long ago, that we collectedourselves, stood up on bike pedals anddecided not to be afraid. After all,wet streets were no danger, cars zoomingaround us, we foreigners on theleft-right side of the road. Adventureisn’t hard to find when fear is notwrestled to the ground but held, afragile bird longing to be givenpermission to fly. And so I stayreleased, remembering our handsgripping handles, ice-April air cuttingthrough cloth: the flock of us,heads up, wings outstretched, willingto continue if only to see the nextturn in the road. -jennifer j. camp This post appeared o...

My Grandma was wonderful at gathering people together. As a child, I greatly reaped the benefits of her gifting, although I did not realize she was displaying a biblical characteristic.  I see now that her hospitality was one of the greatest things about her. I want to live in that legacy and pass it onto the next generation. Growing up, I got to see my out-of-state grandparents about 3 times per year.  In the spring, we visited their Arizona house for the whole week of spring break.  Grandma always had clean beds for us, a meal cooking after we arrived from our day of travel, new toiletries for us to use, and a pantry stocked full of fun things for her grandchildren.  In the summertime, they provided a two-week long vacation on Lake Huron for all of their children and ...

When will it begin, the ability to staypresent without wistfulness or striving?For this rhythm of searching for more exhausts me.Beautiful expectation this earth yet to breakopen with wonder too great to comprehend.Like he is and she is and like this lighthitting in a triangle on this jute flooras bells sing out at dusk across the plaza in June. -jennifer j. camp This post appeared originally at jenniferjcamp.com

I confess I struggle, impatient for changebut hesitant to do the work required for it.I want the benefits, the reward without the hardwork and the fear that effort will produce failure.Failure isn’t worth avoiding at all costs,for the cost of not trying to changeis worse than failing.Please forgive me and help me.I want to be willing to try and to sacrificeand to love—always to love. -jennifer j. camp This post appeared originally at jenniferjcamp.com

It is the surface that can’t betrusted, a crust frail and tenuous. It won’t hold me; I fall right throughthough want it to be strong. Yet deeper, deeper still is where the real lives,the holding of love that holds me too. And falling through, though fraught withfear, is the only sure ground that saves. -jennifer j. camp This post appeared originally at jenniferjcamp.com

I feel like I’m failing at all the things my hands have touched or my feet have walked into. Being stretched thin, working dawn to dusk on two businesses, raising and homeschooling four young children, managing my home, and the feeling the weight of strained or broken relationships: it all has just left me physically worn-out with an emotionally tattered heart. I decided I just needed to get my feet outdoors, into the spring air and sunshine, and work in the yard.  I need to listen to my children squeal and laugh with delight as they run around playing with friends, while my hands work the earth and labor under the sun.  It feels incredibly good to get my hands dirty, to prune my yard and remove all the dead things that have been hanging around. As I did this, the verses in James...

There is not a parent alive who does not agree that parenting takes hard work, dedication, and a long-term stamina never heard of, before you became one! You can read every parenting book on the market, attend every parenting seminar or workshop available, and talk to the best parents you know…and still there will be unanswered questions, worries, or concerns.  Parenthood is not for the faint of heart. It is not for the weak.  That’s for sure! All that said, parenthood is truly a gift – a divine blessing. But no matter how big the blessing, the challenge is a big one, too. We are to raise children up in the way they should go, according to Proverbs 22:6. But what does that mean? What way should they go? We, us, numero uno, is now responsible for another human being. It’s pretty s...

www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org I’m going to kick this post off by asking, do you journal? The phrase journal writing is described as the process of recording personal insights, reflections and questions or personal topics. As Christian women, I would add that it’s a great way to write out your thoughts, ideas, pour out your heart to God, what’s going on in your personal life, and prayers. It’s a just another way to express your thoughts privately between you and Him. Personally, I LOVE journaling! I make it a point after I brush my teeth in the morning and pour a fresh hot cup of hazelnut Folgers coffee with French vanilla creamer (yum!), to then whip out my journal, pen, Bible, as well as my yellow highlighter and just reflect on the day before, pray, and simply write down Scrip...

Father of creation, Son born into time, Spirit within me today, I turn my complaint into confession: What feels like not enough Is really me trying to have more— I’m not recognizing you give me what I need. Temper my greed, So that I can live well Within the margins of today. May I not use the minutes As if they are currency Spent on my must-haves. Rather, may I receive each hour As the gift it is— A place to live with you. Give me eyes to see: When quick is good And hurry is unholy. Give me ears to hear: When lingering is love And loitering is lazy. Give me hands to touch: When action is healing And refrain when not. Give me humility to ask: When help is needed And pride is isolating. Settle me into this day, Aware and thankful Of being with You. Amen Having been a burnt-out leader in the...