The sand scalds the bottom of feet. Despite the calendar turning to fall, the weather in Southern California has remained firmly stuck in the heat of summer. The Malibu coastline has wide sandy stretches interspersed with rocky caves and tide pools. Sometimes the rip currents are powerful. On this particular day, the waves are crashingContinueContinue reading “Crashing Down”
Author Archives: jencoito
Zoomed In: Encountering God in Unmet Dreams
Perhaps you have seen them in the Highlights magazines in the doctor’s office or on a brain teaser app, images that are super zoomed in to the point of distortion. Is that a broccoli floret or a snake’s nobbly skin? A tile floor or a stack of colored pencils? You look for clues: texture, coloring,ContinueContinue reading “Zoomed In: Encountering God in Unmet Dreams”
Daring Hope: The Women at the Tomb
I have never won the lottery or even the grand prize in a raffle. I rarely even pick the fastest line at the grocery checkout. How often have our wild ambitions or dreams come true? But if I am truly being honest with myself, how often have I even given myself permission to dream boldlyContinueContinue reading “Daring Hope: The Women at the Tomb”
Tender Care
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion I kneel before my son, carefully washing his feet. “It’s time for my pedicure,” he jokes. Despite weeks of soaking in epsom salts and treating with antibiotic ointments, his ingrown toenail became infected. The seemingly minor inconvenience caused significant pain and upset his daily activities. And the toenail wasContinueContinue reading “Tender Care”
A Drop in the Bucket
“Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.” – Exodus 17:6 Third Sunday of Lent The children are crouched over tiny buckets, huge smiles on their faces as they wash their clothes and hands. It is laundry day at school. My colleague in Africa recently sent a pictureContinueContinue reading “A Drop in the Bucket”
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”
