jencoito

Looking for a Reason: Irritating Sin

Wednesday of Holy Week “…and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.” Matthew 26:16 My 8-year-old woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. I caught him “flicking” his little sister twice before even finishing his breakfast. I didn’t pack the right snack for school. His temperContinueContinue reading “Looking for a Reason: Irritating Sin”

Palm Sunday: A Current Event

The Passion of Jesus is happening today. The Passion is not a historical account of something that happened 2,000 years ago.

Enslaved

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, April 6 2022 “Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.” JnContinueContinue reading “Enslaved”

An April Fool

“Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me.” – Jer. 11:19 I always pick the wrong line at Target. I looked at the data and assessed my options: Lane 7 has a person with two shopping carts full of items and a bulging envelopeContinueContinue reading “An April Fool”

Scorching Wind and Sun

“They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them” Is 49:10 If you can’t take the heat, get out of the fire! I come from a long line of women who can’t handle the heat. I have inherited a legacy of headaches, fainting and nausea when IContinueContinue reading “Scorching Wind and Sun”

Imaginary Squirrels

“It’s a little harder for me to hike down because I am carrying a squirrel.” When my sister explained the trouble my daughter was having with this “squirrel” she was carrying, my husband helpfully recommended the squirrel sit on her shoulder so she’d have both hands free. Unfortunately, the “squirrel” kept slipping off her shouldersContinueContinue reading “Imaginary Squirrels”

Chapel of No

This post appeared as part of a series on Belonging featured on the Into the Deep Blog. It was “No.” As clear as day. I had prayed for an answer, and I heard the “No”. I wanted it to be yes… so, so, so badly. I was devastated. I remember the place, the people, theContinueContinue reading “Chapel of No”

Just As I Am Today

“Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.” Psalm 40:7 Feast of the Annunciation As we emphasize our human failings and sinfulness during Lent, we can be tempted to turn inward and focus inordinately on ourselves. We expend energy on what we have given up or attempted to improveContinueContinue reading “Just As I Am Today”

No Fair!

“The LORD’s way is not fair!” Ezekiel 18:25 No Fair! How many of us have heard this righteous proclamation from someone in our lives? Kids are notorious for pointing out the unfairness of being asked to pick up their toys, brush their teeth, and wait their turn in line. Someone got a bigger piece of cake,ContinueContinue reading “No Fair!”

Grazing Herd of Kids

“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live on bread alone.’” Luke 4:3-4 “Can I have a snack?” “Didn’t you JUST eat?” “I need a different snack, a better snack.”Crackers, cereal, apple slices, yogurts, cheese sticks. They scavenge around theContinueContinue reading “Grazing Herd of Kids”