adriennehope

all that she has sown

I went to my bookshelf tonight in search of an old copy of Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English. I opened its pages and, gently flipping through, was stopped by some neat, cramped handwriting I knew to be my grandmother’s. Turning to the front to confirm, there was the sticker, in the old-fashioned use ofContinue reading “all that she has sown”

a candle of hope in a season of waiting

It was an interesting thing to flow straight from Thanksgiving into the first Sunday of advent this year. I know Thanksgiving as a holiday is a creation of our secular history, not the church, but I find its timing appropriate. Maybe I’ve never seen it as closely linked as this year, when the seasons practicallyContinue reading “a candle of hope in a season of waiting”

simplicity

Echoing in my expressed longing for stillness on here a few weeks ago was a chord that has been resounding in my life for a while: the idea of simplicity. And then, by natural connection, the idea of busyness. The two can be enemies, but they don’t have to be. The reality is, though, thatContinue reading “simplicity”

stillness.

Be still my soul: the Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order and provide In every change, He faithful will remain Be still my soul: thy best, thy heavenly friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end I remember distinctly the firstContinue reading “stillness.”

of ropes and hands

The rope loops down, through the harness and up to re-trace its path through the knot. Up. Right. Down. Left. Up again, parallel to the rope hanging off the rock. Pull it tight, dress it right. My hands weave through motion almost without thought, as repetition has trained them to do. If only other areasContinue reading “of ropes and hands”

joy is…

these guys… pirate faces… my brother as a father… and that he brought us this girl. Joy is 10 years of friendship with these girls… that has lasted through lives that look just a little different than they once did. Joy is this miracle turning one: and this kind of freedom… and this face. Joy isContinue reading “joy is…”

while reading Hosea

Sometimes it is evident, Lord, that the wandering and unfaithfulness and adultery of Israel all throughout the Old Testament is less about the general sin nature of man (though I know that is part of it) and more about the preserving and record of an example for us as generations to come – so weContinue reading “while reading Hosea”

redemption

I keep telling myself that this is just a season: the busyness, and reflective silence on here. Hopefully it’s true, or at least I will try to make it such! It’s a good busyness though. A busyness of learning: I’ve spent the past few months immersed in learning about this new journey the Lord hasContinue reading “redemption”

bigger

I’m reading a little book right now that doesn’t have a copyright page or date, but the inscription on the inside cover (to a Mrs. Keziah Parr – a name you still hear everyday!) is dated March 8, 1905. I know it’s nothing special; not even really that antique in the grand scheme of things;Continue reading “bigger”

an open letter

I’ve been helping out with the youth group at my church for the past six months or so, and recently a lot of the kids participated in a big week-long youth event called Flower City Work Camp. At youth group the week following the event, we had a chance for the kids to share thingsContinue reading “an open letter”