Author: Nicole

  • God is Not in Notions and Words

    God is Not in Notions and Words

    Last weekend I ran a half marathon with my husband. I’m sore, and my time wasn’t anything to write home about. But I did it. A sense of accomplishment can definitely be important to our sense of well being. I notice this same pattern emerging when it comes to my spiritual life. Whenever I understand…

  • God Could Be Something Else Entirely

    God Could Be Something Else Entirely

    It’s an early day for me. Sometimes I wake up before I should, and I lie awake in thought. Oh, how I try to go back to sleep. Maybe, I’ll succeed. I know how important sleep is, and I value it. But it looks like this morning I’ll be awake an hour before I intended.…

  • Welcome March

    Welcome March

    It has been a minute since we experienced a leap day, so yesterday felt a bit strange to me. I was ready to welcome March, but had to wait an extra day! Oh, March. How I love you. In March we get to welcome spring, and my husband and I will celebrate our 19th wedding…

  • Spiritual, Yes. Religious, No.

    Spiritual, Yes. Religious, No.

    The wind and rain continued this afternoon as I worked around my house, thankful for the warmth within it. I nearly took a nap while watching a video with my daughter. The coziness of the darkened room almost got the best of me. With the wind and rain comes a change in temperature. Winter is…

  • A Mindful Afternoon

    A Mindful Afternoon

    The wind is howling outside. It sounds both peaceful and ferocious. A strange paradox as I start off my morning. Yesterday my husband, son, and I took a walk around a lake. Gravel crunched under our feet as we watched geese congregate in the water. I’m no expert, but they looked happy. I smiled as…

  • Nature Heals

    Nature Heals

    Tonight, my daughter and I stepped onto our porch to do some reading. The wind was warm as it rustled our clothes. I turned on a light as the sun began to set, and we read to the sound of frogs singing in the distance. It was wonderful. What greatness there is in this world.…

  • Could the Supernatural be Natural?

    Could the Supernatural be Natural?

    The ground is starting to warm. Grass is turning green, and it’s almost time to get into my garden. Spring is right around the corner. This morning, my husband tilled part of my garden for me. The tiller was giving him some trouble, so he decided to check the breaker box. Surprisingly, he found a…

  • Changing My Perspective About Femininity

    Changing My Perspective About Femininity

    My marriage is important to me. My husband is my best friend and greatest support. Yet I found myself confused when I lost my conservative Christian faith. For a long time, I had subscribed to the “submissive wife” theory. Note that “I” had subscribed to it, not “him”. While I noticed that he responded well…

  • My Spiritual Practice

    My Spiritual Practice

    Most of us crave a spiritual practice, even if we are not religious. We feel it deeply. This is an example of what I try to do on a daily basis to connect with the Divine. Take as many or as little of these suggestions as you’d like and run with them! Embrace Solitude and/or…

  • I Can Do Better

    I Can Do Better

    I’ve got a large family. Nine children to be exact. When I look at them, I feel the connection. They are flesh of my flesh. Their bodies were formed inside of mine. If that’s not a connection, I’m not sure what is. When I’m in nature I feel a connection, too. Yet, I’ve been taught…