“What’s that?” my 5-year-old asks, pointing to a ceramic cross above the bedroom door at my parents’ house as I lie down next to him to help him fall asleep. “It’s a cross,” I reply matter-of-factly, with a pang of guilt that I apparently haven’t done a good enough job at catechizing my child for him to recognize this ubiquitous symbol of Christian faith. “It looks like a ‘t’,” he concludes, unimpressed, then decides he isn’t yet satisfied with the conversation (or maybe he just doesn’t want to go to sleep). He asks a follow-up question, “Why does Mimi have a cross over the bedroom door?”&nbs ..read more

Creator God, Who gave life to dear ones, Who knows the deep pride and frustration that commingle in the heart of a parent, Who breathed life into dust, Who feels the sting of disappointment in your children. Pour out grace on my family. Grant me perspective to see the world from two feet high, From eyes that mirror my own in their determination and will. Help me to soak in that same grace when I feel the weight of my shortcomings. Allowing myself and my children room to feel, Holding space for our emotions, Remind us in those moments of hot anger, Of the grace you gently shower on your childr ..read more

Even when they were small, I was nervous that time would march relentlessly on and I would find myself where I am today: my kids ready to fly the coop and me, unready. This April, a tall, sincere, young man asked for my daughter’s hand. My social media went frenzied, and everyone asked how I felt. My standard response was that I had no idea because I had never felt this way before. (The young man would say I made him jump through a few hoops!) The terrain of parenting changes dramatically as the young-uns stop being so young. The things that worked, the dreams we hold dear, and even our doubt ..read more

Want to keep celebrating the whole Easter season—even now that chocolate is on clearance? Here are ideas for living out the 50 days of Easter with your family. Get up early and watch the sunrise. Then cook breakfast together and read the story of Jesus serving a morning meal for his friends on the beach (John 21). Visit a park with your kids and notice signs of the seasons changing. Give thanks to God for the beauty of nature and the resilience of creation. Light a white candle on your dinner table. Pray in a special way for all who might be finding it hard to celebrate during this season of ..read more

Spring seems especially brilliant this year, as does Easter’s promise of resurrection. Perhaps, though, I’m attuned to it differently. More alert. More awake. More present. Or maybe the darkness, death, violence, and grief has been much too prevalent. In the bright purples, the wild flowers dotting the grass, a chorus of birds, a flowing stream, the woodpecker’s morning greeting, the wind in my hair, the sun shining on faces; in all these things I hear the quiet, gentle, voice of resurrection. “Look and see, new life is here.” The world is being reawakened, as is my soul from the darkness of ..read more

O Divine Midwife, I come to you with my anxieties, my grief, and with my injuries, both emotional and physical. I am grateful for the baby in my arms, yet, I am also haunted by the fear of what could have been. O Midwife, grant me restored peace in surrender: Help me to see the joys and trust of releasing control in motherhood, not the pain of having it taken away from me. Also allow me to feel my own intuition and power. Grant me the ability to advocate for myself and find care providers that are healthy and empowering; walking with me on my winding path of healing and recovery. O Midwife, g ..read more

Holy Deliverer, When bringing my child into the world brings pain and fear, Be near me. Faithful Rescuer, When I feel like Mary, giving birth far from comfort and not as planned, Cradle me. Gentle Father, When labor brings me physical and mental anguish and I doubt your goodness, Hold me. Loving Lord, When my body and mind hold the scars of my child’s birth, Comfort me. Copyright © 2024 Brynn Lampert. For more prayers: A prayer for when you relive a traumatic birthA prayer for birth and racial trauma A prayer for traumatic birth The post Holy Deliverer: A Prayer for a Traumatic Birth appeared ..read more

My teenage son finally gave in to the sleep that he so badly needed, literally collapsing onto his bedroom floor while it was still light out. As the morning alarms went off, I crept to his room and could see he was stirring.  A sense of relief washed over me like those early days when my fitful baby would finally give us a night’s sleep. As I walked into his room in the morning, he woke up surprised and refreshed.  What surprises me most about this transition to the teenage years is how its rhythms feel oddly similar to the baby years. As a new mom to my oldest nearly fifteen years ..read more

Still my anger, Lord over milk spilled toothpaste wasted urine everywhere but the toilet Slow my anger, Lord when I am constantly interrupted my plans are thwarted my children misbehave and I feel embarrassed when I go without sleep without food without a moment of quiet Stoke my anger, Lord when children go without food, safety, shelter, love when children are overlooked, mistreated, rejected Save my anger, Lord for what matters most flipping tables to right wrongs fighting for children everywhere instead of with my children Still, Slow, Stoke, Save. Amen. Copyright © 2024 Bridget Carey. Thi ..read more

God of boundless love, your care for us comes through the hands of others. Today we pray for all who do the hands-on work of love: those whose daily labor is in the home, those who care for young and old, those who tend bodies, minds, and hearts in need. We pray in a special way for all who give care but do not receive pay, those whose work continues round the clock. those whose labor can be dirty and demanding. May they know their work is worthy. May they feel your presence as they take up their daily tasks. May they be supported by this community and our common call: to love our neighbor, t ..read more