Seen on the Train

I am on the train today. It is actually moving. Yesterday morning was a whole different story. I literally had to walk through a train tunnel and climb out and find a way to get to court. Today, the train is moving. There is a man taking up almost the whole bench, and he isContinue reading “Seen on the Train”

The Choice of Rest

Jane Austen wrote in Persuasion (my favorite book of hers) that “None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” The truth is, while this may be true for some, some of us are desperately seeking calm waters because it feels like we have been in that boat the disciples find themselvesContinue reading “The Choice of Rest”

Keep Back Nothing

“Your real, new self (which is Christ’s and also yours, and yours just because it is His) will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for Him. Does that sound strange? The same principle holds, you know, for more everyday matters. Even in social life,Continue reading “Keep Back Nothing”

Waiting with Hope

“Therefore, we do not wait for the promise in despair but in hope. Hope, this glorious hope, rests in Jesus. As we consider His humble entrance into the world as a baby this Advent season, may we also eagerly await the day He returns in glory as King (Revelation 21:1-8). Like the Israelites rested forContinue reading “Waiting with Hope”

Just Following

I saw the image that captures a scene from The Chosen (above), and I found it to be so profound. We live in a world where we treasure certainty. When I speak to people in my age bracket, it seems to be the thing everyone wants. Everyone wants to be sure of something, maybe becauseContinue reading “Just Following”

How to Shake Off the Week

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5 Today was a rough day. I won’t go into the details. I will pick up where I left off on Monday. But as I felt the overwhelm and edginess that comes with the feeling of being chewed and spit out, I satContinue reading “How to Shake Off the Week”

Overheard in the Courthouse

By: Gabriela Yareliz It’s rainy. The kind of rain that makes all of my baby hair curl up. I am sitting in front of a judge I had stood next to at an intersection this morning. We both had the unpleasant realization that we were standing in the splash zone. A car went by thatContinue reading “Overheard in the Courthouse”

Martha Service

By: Gabriela Yareliz My mind has still be stirring with thoughts on service (that and the Johnny Depp trial). I have been enjoying the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. It’s a story that is often told or talked about, especially in regards to women. I feel like mostContinue reading “Martha Service”

The Inner Room

“Do not be swayed by the opinions of others. The secret to breaking free from confusion.” The Art of Simple Living, Shunmyo Masuno By: Gabriela Yareliz All of us can have an inner room. It’s sort of like an inner chamber of the soul to where we can retreat to find stillness and peace. WiseContinue reading “The Inner Room”

A Moment in the Mirror

By: Gabriela Yareliz No two Thanksgivings were the same for me, growing up. Maybe it was all the moving around. I don’t know. We had some great ones in Florida, maybe three years in a row we had Thanksgiving at some church friends’ house. They would invite more or less the same group. We ateContinue reading “A Moment in the Mirror”