jencoito

Weathered Storms

First Sunday of Lent At this, Jesus said to him,“Get away, Satan!It is written:The Lord, your God, shall you worshipand him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold,angels came and ministered to him. – Matthew 4:10-11 As my children have gotten older, there are more and more instances where I feelContinueContinue reading “Weathered Storms”

Encountering God: In Stumbling and Fumbling

In this ordinary time between the Christmas season and Lent, I can appreciate anew that God appears to me in the stumbling and fumbling imperfection of my day to day life. God did not come to be an audience member in my solo master performance, waiting for the curtain to arise and for me to wow everyone with my capabilities. God has come into the world to walk (or even skate) alongside me.

In Life and Death

December 26, 2025Feast of St. Stephen Martyr “It took my grandfather a long time to die, in fact it took him my whole life.” I wrote these words at 11 years old, shortly after my grandfather died. My entire life had been marked by his cancer and heart attacks. Among my earliest memories are visitsContinueContinue reading “In Life and Death”

Making a List, Checking it Twice

Part of the Series “Hope Carried to Others” on the Into the Deep Blog. Santa is not the only one making a list and checking it twice as Christmas approaches. I have a Christmas card list, and an elaborate spreadsheet of gifts to purchase, ship, or wrap. Each of my kids has extensive wish listsContinueContinue reading “Making a List, Checking it Twice “

Sparkling Lights

What did you go out to the desert to see?A reed swayed by the wind?Then what did you go out to see?Someone dressed in fine clothing?Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” -Matthew 11:7-9 We neverContinueContinue reading “Sparkling Lights”

Wretched Food… An Invitation to Hope?

The past few months have been filled with unexpected, everyday “emergencies”: a very sick dog, a bunny with a broken tooth, new brakes for the car (front and back), a minor concussion for one kid and major dental work for another. I have nothing to show for my summer: no exotic cruise, no bathroom remodel,ContinueContinue reading “Wretched Food… An Invitation to Hope? “

Lego Art

My 6-year-old is a master Lego builder. He carefully follows the detailed instructions and puts together sets far beyond his age range. If I don’t take a picture quickly though, the medications will already be underway. After finishing a double decker London bus, he immediately wondered “what if the bus got a flat tire andContinueContinue reading “Lego Art”

Measuring God

Saturday, September 27 Reading: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a I raised my eyes and looked, and there was a man with a measuring cord in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” And he said, “To measure Jerusalem—to see how great its width is and how great its length.” Then the angel who spoke with meContinueContinue reading “Measuring God”

Bee Stings and God’s Abundance

Saturday, September 20 Reading: Luke 8:4-15 When a large crowd was gathering, as people were coming to him from town after town, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell on a path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ateContinueContinue reading “Bee Stings and God’s Abundance”

A Thirsty Cactus

Saturday, September 13 Reading: Luke 6:43-49 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, andContinueContinue reading “A Thirsty Cactus”