“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 shouldersContinue 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, theContinue reading "Chapel of No"
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"
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"
Rewind, Fast Forward, Pause
“Tell God to rewind the day. I want to try again.” My four-year-old daughter sobbed uncontrollably in the parking lot of her preschool. After a mishap in the lining up for COVID-safe dismissal, she could not calm down enough to walk out with everyone else. After 20-minutes, one of the Sisters carried her to myContinue reading "Rewind, Fast Forward, Pause"
Puzzling: Baptism of the Lord
In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. - 1Jn 5:2-4 When I dump out theContinue reading "Puzzling: Baptism of the Lord"
Rationing Love
Tuesday After Epiphany, January 5, 2021 I think the stuffed animals are reproducing; every time I turn around, there are more of them. They stare at me from under the couch. They hide under the blankets on the beds. They lurk inside every backpack and tote bag. Even before I get out of bed inContinue reading "Rationing Love"
Where Does God Live?
“My God! What a wonderful title and what a beautiful description… Servants of the Poor! It is the same as saying Servants of Jesus Christ, for He regards as done to Himself what is done to them. What did he do on earth but serve the poor?” –St. Vincent de Paul Does God live inContinue reading "Where Does God Live?"
Unexpected Epiphany
The wise men brought symbols of both life and death: gold, frankincense and myrrh. We watched other families bury their loved ones today. We looked around at the unique decorations and offerings on the tombs: tangible outpourings of love, grief, and healing. Our offering is small compared to the gifts the wise men carried to present to the newborn king.
Is It You Who Will Build a House for Me?
What I have to offer Jesus seems so small: kitchen, family room, garage. The sacred space I have is the world that Matthew sees through his little eyes. This year, these four walls (and the people who dwell in them) are the only manger I have for the Holy Family. It may be crowded, chaotic, and slightly sticky, but I trust it is a place that Jesus will want to come, to visit, to make a home.
“Yes, and” or “Yes, but”
The further we push God away, the more adrift we feel, and the harder it can be to realign ourselves.
Beautiful Things
Friday of the First Week of Advent “One thing I ask of the LORD… That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.” - Psalm 27 “I am looking for things that are beautiful.” The eye rolls, the snarky replies, the know-it-all smirks. I get this kind of teenager attitudeContinue reading "Beautiful Things"
A Stolen Advent
Second Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2020 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. - Peter 3:10 The tracking numbers,Continue reading "A Stolen Advent"
What I’ve Been Looking For
And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. - Luke 2:38 For the past several years we have visited the San Jose “Christmas in the Park” with a close friend (our younger son’s godfather) on the dayContinue reading "What I’ve Been Looking For"
Unashamed
Sometimes wrestling fear is as futile as wrangling a toddler into fancy clothes for a picture. What if we stopped allowing that fear to control us?
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 visitsContinue 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 listsContinue 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 neverContinue 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,Continue 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 andContinue 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 meContinue 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 ateContinue 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, andContinue reading "A Thirsty Cactus"
Interrupted Times
Reading: Luke 6:1-5 One Sabbath while Jesus was going through some grain fields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did whenContinue reading "Interrupted Times"
Straw, Sticks, Bricks
August 29, Friday Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist First Reading: Jeremiah 1:17-19 But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. And I for my part have made you today aContinue reading "Straw, Sticks, Bricks"
Jen Coito: Ignatius at Home 