Summit Stories

The first day of spring. The seasons have always been really symbolic to me... experiential imagery that God has used again and again to remind me to trust Him through the changes, to believe He is at work in the hard seasons, to have faith beyond what I can see and touch right now. Last year there was a period of time where for months I just wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be okay again. And then, just like God does, a reassurance came over me that I was going to be okay. That there was no guarantees about difficulties but that I could be okay no matter what. This assurance, this feeling, this deepening of my faith that I can only attribute to His work of showing me my need for hope in the eternal, it occurred very tangibly on this day last year, on the first day of spring. And I’m reminded, as we’re buried in this fog, in what feels like maybe just the beginning of a long winter, I’m reminded to trust Him, despite a complete and utter lack of guaranteed outcomes right ...

I can be these kids’ teacher, I know I can. I’m just not sure I can also be the mom, cook, activity planner, part time employee, and calm voice, among other things. This is hard. And I know I don’t even have what others carry. My only antidote: Keeping Philippians 4:4-7 on repeat. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Author: Nicole Cousineau

David, my son, called me and shared a problem with his car. Of course, he imagined “the worst.“  I encouraged him as best I could. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving , present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard  your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Phil. 4:6 Then, I wrote this little poem.                                                         ALWAYS ASK GOD                 Good Morning, Son                 So nice to hear...                 And just how is your day?                 You say your car’s stopped working         ...

A much anticipated vacation has been canceled, and I’ve cried a few times. At first I felt guilty because hello this is a vacation, not our jobs being canceled or our income or our health or the health of those we care about... but with that in perspective I’m choosing to still feel what I’m feeling. I’m letting myself be disappointed about it and then I’m turning my gaze towards all that is not canceled. This is sad but God’s goodness is not canceled. Joy is not canceled- good food is not canceled- being outside is not canceled. Love and connection is not canceled. Joy on my kids faces is not canceled, or fun or dancing or singing. Things have felt so quiet lately but laughter is not canceled. Bread is not canceled and neither are chocolate chip cookies or curry. We don’t have my favorite tea right now, but tea time with our little cups is not canceled and we can adjust, this thing right here in front of me, it’s different than I was expecting, but it can still be good. I can still...

This from Psalm 139:  "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." I am not a fatalist, in that I take care to eat right and exercise, use proper hygiene, take medicine for improved control of diabetes, etc. In this time of pandemic, I am careful to limit myself going out to what is necessary and use lots of sanitizer when I do. But I also believe my days a numbered. The only thing the Bible says in regard to changing that is to respect my parents. Too late for that one. I tired but often failed in the arrogance of youth. I believe I was wonderfully made as we all are. Probably, it is more produ...