Consider the Lilies

Category: Suffering

  • Hidden

    There used to be “something special” about taking a picture, back in the dark ages before the digital revolution. With only 24 pictures available on a roll of film, that was purchased, which had to “get developed,” complete with chemicals, a darkroom, and something called negatives, the act of taking a picture required a bit of planning…

  • Coming Out of the Dark

    A freak snowstorm hit my area in October, and thousands of people were in the dark – for days.  The lights and power were non-existent in my home for four days, the nights were dark and cold, and it looked like it would stay this way for many more days. When the lights came back…

  • The floods recede

    Not even 30 days ago, a now-famous hurricane named Irene turned into a tropical storm and left behind a lot of water.  So much water that little brooks turned into raging rivers, and rivers burst out of their normal boundaries.  The water levels advanced, furiously, to the point of swallowing fields and farms, burying roads,…

  • Missing the Fish

    Struck by the incongruity of a farm tractor leading the local Shad Derby parade, I framed my digital shot.  The red tractor with its great wheels being the first vehicle in the parade would make Norman Rockwell – if he were alive – inspired.  And, in a sense, the tractor at the head symbolized the essence…

  • Light and Momentary

    I wouldn’t put this on a resume, but I am quite good at wrapping my mind and emotions around the tough things in life. That can be a good quality.  It can also get me in a lot of trouble.  I am able to shoulder burdens that are rightfully mine to carry, and burdens that…

  • Rejoicing Bones

    I wonder – was the consciousness of sin that the king of Israel of old, David, displayed, unique to that era?  Today’s mantra,”if it feels good, do it,”  is so far from the concept of sin in both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures..  The sins – adultery, lying, murder – that broke the heart of…

  • The cookie and the cross

    It all started with an intention to abstain from certain things during the 40 days of Lent, a common practice observed by Catholics, and a practice that I agree with, in principle.  As I look back to the cross – that horrible, wonderful event that secured freedom from sin – Jesus’ life is one of…

  • The other side of need

    Do you know what would your life would look like if you didn’t have any needs?  I doubt it. It’s hard to picture not having needs.  From the first day of life, we are needy. We forget, but in those early days, we needed warmth.  As babies we needed food and water.  We needed to…