In C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie children receive gifts from Father Christmas in Narnia: Peter gets a sword and shield, Susan gets a bow, arrows, and a horn that summons help whenever it is blown, and Lucy gets a dagger and a small, diamond vial filled with a … Continue reading What was Lucy’s potion made of?
Category: Pain
Drinking the bitter cup
I don’t want to go through this. I don’t want this to be my life. I don’t want an addicted child, or an ill spouse, or the stigma of bankruptcy or divorce. I don’t want my plans to fail or my best efforts to come up short. I don’t want to drink a cup of … Continue reading Drinking the bitter cup
Room for a Blue Christmas
Now that we are deep into the holiday season, you have no doubt heard Elvis Presley crooning about a Blue Christmas more times than you can count. The song has become standard Christmas music fare, and Starbucks has been playing it for over a month now. It’s catchy and sexy, and it is also very … Continue reading Room for a Blue Christmas
William’s 400-meter failure
During the past few months I have been volunteering as the assistant track and field coach at my daughter’s high school. I’ve loved it, and it has been the fulfillment of a dream I’ve carried ever since I first met Pat Stahl, the track and field coach who profoundly shaped my life in high school. … Continue reading William’s 400-meter failure
The Gift Nobody Wants
Several years ago a doctor wrote a small book entitled Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants. Understandably, the publishing company balked at the title, asserting that no one would purchase a book that hailed pain as a gift. Consequently, after a brief run, the word “pain” was dropped and the book was simply published as The … Continue reading The Gift Nobody Wants