jencoito

I Thirst…

The wildflowers on the side of the road look cheerful and welcoming. The rolling green hills and lush foliage look like a picture-perfect postcard. I can’t enjoy the beauty; the scene fills me with dread. Soon they will become the dried up kindling of the summer wildfires. I live in an area of California constantlyContinueContinue reading “I Thirst…”

Capturing Joy

Second Sunday of Lent, February 25, 2024 Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”ContinueContinue reading “Capturing Joy”

Babbling Away…

Babbling Away… “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7 Are my words anything more than meaningless babble? Recent challenges have stirred a cloud of confusionContinueContinue reading “Babbling Away…”

Those Who Lie in Unmarked Graves

Recently I rode on a leaking bus for two hours in the pouring rain with 40 fourth graders. Our destination: Mission Santa Barbara. Our group finally landed in the Mission Church with a shell-shocked Franciscan, conscripted into service after the scheduled tour guides got trapped at home in the rain. Having no idea what theContinueContinue reading “Those Who Lie in Unmarked Graves”

Dear Santa, take me with you

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 24, 2023 “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” 2 Samuel 7:3 Dear Santa, For Christmas, I made a list of what you should give to places that don’t have stuff that are life essentials. I am going to start with asking you toContinueContinue reading “Dear Santa, take me with you “

Remember the Dance

Second Sunday of Advent The prima ballerina entered from stage right and I felt the pricks of pain in my toe as if it were only yesterday. The silk of the ribbons around my ankles and the gentle friction of the tutu skirt on my legs were as real today as they were a lifetimeContinueContinue reading “Remember the Dance”

Podcast Episode: Loved As You Are

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vUe2jKnLrUnbPGbdxMgR5 Check out the awesome podcast “Loved As You Are” by fellow Into the Deep writer Gretchen Crowder. I was interviewed a few weeks ago on the topic of “Loved As You Are”… enjoy!

Tasting Courage

This post appeared in a series on “Consolation Beyond a Smile.” Read the whole series on the Into the Deep blog. I am not a very adventurous eater. As a lifelong vegetarian, my options are often limited from the start. In unfamiliar settings I wonder about hidden pork fat and disguised fish sauce …steakhouses andContinueContinue reading “Tasting Courage”

Just a few extras

This post appeared in a series on “The Need is the Call” responding to the question: What if I can’t find a way to use my gifts? When I dump out the 500 pieces of a new puzzle, the colors and shapes all jumble together. All the pieces are there but the picture those piecesContinueContinue reading “Just a few extras”

A Flower That Doesn’t Die

The Passion was not just a symbolic grief this year. We lost my grandmother on Tuesday of Holy Week. Her feisty spirit didn’t always make her the easiest person to get along with. Despite my grudges or issues with her, my children loved her just as she was. Their memories are of the fizzy drinksContinueContinue reading “A Flower That Doesn’t Die”