jencoito

On Solid Ground

“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” – Matthew 7:25 First grade teacher: “What season comes after summer?” My kid: “Fire season!” Observing a lesson on seasons during Zoom school last year, it became very apparentContinue reading “On Solid Ground”

Danger Ahead: Praying For Humility

This article was written as a part of the series “Living As Contemplative Leaders” in Becky Eldredge’s Into the Deep Blog. Let me have too deep a sense of humor ever to be proud. Let me know my absurdity before I act absurdly. Let me realize that when I am humble I am most human,Continue reading “Danger Ahead: Praying For Humility”

Distorted Mirrors

Three kids, a pandemic, and nearing the “late thirties” stage of not-so-young adulthood… Suddenly, shopping is not as fun as it used to be. Fall has brought a few occasions that require me to ditch my uniform of mom jeans and Ann Taylor Loft T-shirts. The most important of these is my sister’s long-delayed weddingContinue reading “Distorted Mirrors”

Searching for Our Umbrella

My Ignatian Moment: Ignatius and the Donkey. This post was written as a part of Becky Eldredge’s series on Ignatian Spirituality. See more at https://beckyeldredge.com/intothedeep/. While the baby and I play in the sand, the older kids ride wave after wave into the shore on their boogie boards. My husband stands guard in the shallowContinue reading “Searching for Our Umbrella”

When the Road Forks: Recalculating Route

This is written as a part of a series for the Ignatian Year on Ignatius’ Cannonball Experience and life transformation. See more at: https://beckyeldredge.com/author/jcoito/ With 650 miles of freeway and 22,000 miles of surface streets, Los Angeles County offers an almost unlimited number of roads to travel. I have been known to miss my exitContinue reading “When the Road Forks: Recalculating Route”

Easter Sunday: Empty Clothes

Empty Clothes He went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. ForContinue reading “Easter Sunday: Empty Clothes”

The Walking Dead

Fifth Sunday of Lent “I will open your graves and have you rise from them…I will put my spirit in you that you may live.” –Ez 37:12-14 I have been walking around dead for a while. No, I am not a ghost or a Zombie. But parts of me have been dead inside for overContinue reading “The Walking Dead”

Unwashed

Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. – Eph 5:8-9 Driving slow in the fast lane, noisy chewing, nails on a chalkboard, blocking the grocery store aisle while talking, incorrect mask usage. We all have things that irritate us and trigger reactions that are over theContinue reading “Unwashed”

Driving Out

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent March 11, 2021 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. – Luke 11:14 As soon as we hear the tell-tale rumble coming down the street, we must run out toContinue reading “Driving Out”

Shards of Glass

This post was written as a part of a series on “Praying When It’s Hard” on https://beckyeldredge.com/intothedeep/ Our 1-year-old has obtained the height and just enough dexterity to reach above his head and swipe at things on the kitchen counter. Surprises come raining down: a sleeve of crackers, a banana, a full cup of water.Continue reading “Shards of Glass”