Reflections and Reviews
The Aspens' Blog
heavy work shouldered
makes steady progress only
partnered with Spirit
My son (daughter): May you never strain at a burden meant for a team by yourself. Even if your God-assigned work seems lonely or you feel abandoned by all human compassion, the Holy Spirit will be there to help you lift...
squawks of stark dismay
fly at good authority
abundant as thanks
My son (daughter): May you learn gratefulness at every level, for the components of your blessings all the way up to the Prime Mover, God Himself. When tempted to complain, may you turn the complaint into a question that...
child born whole today
celebrate in springs to come
mother's deepest pain
My son (daughter): May you appreciate your pains, and the pains of those around you. Pain is a teacher, and we can not only learn from others’ pain but we can also appreciate the value of our efforts: Pushing...
my Lord and my God
thy will be done on this Earth
preparation vital
My son (daughter): May you always keep control over your self and your areas of responsibility, never more and never less. There is always a pull to take on more than is ours to bear, but that way lies exhaustion and disappointing...
children scream loudly
guests from afar now in view
rich as falling leaves
My son (daughter): May you become a gracious host, and may the whole world crave your invitations. In spite of modern casual practices, hosting well is a deep, ancestral mark of character and position ingrained in our...
dawn strikes eyes early
bustle hustle muscles sore
wheeling sun urgent
My son (daughter): May you never quit before the finish line. God seeds finish lines before us in life, small challenges and seasons of trial and contest. Rise to each occasion, and win with vigor and dedication to the...
impossible gaps
require more than skilled body
walk on air and light
My son (daughter): God is an impossible God, a giant amongst the other gods. They all serve Him, for He holds all things in this universe and reality in His hands. May you choose to serve Him also, for He gave you a gift...
I am one in Christ
when I work as one with Him
Christ is one in me
My son (daughter): May you unify with the worthy and never find yourself without worthy allies. All through life there is a glut of unworthy parasites and a tide of sleepers wandering in and out of one another’s lives....
time is a river
thawing to flow in springtime
carrying boats away
My son (daughter): May you make good choices and be aware of the blessing of time. Time limits the scope of our awareness. We cannot functionally live out of the past; the past’s job is to inform the present. We cannot...
5 years, 5 children, 5 places we called home
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It's everyone's dream, isn't it?
"Love at first sight."
Even those of us romantics
who know that "love at hindsight"
is more realistic,
and perhaps even more...
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"The chances of you making a lasting change on January first is 1 in 365."
—Sarah Jordan in Resolute Reflection
One of the most pivotal, life-altering moments in my life happened on November 24, a day that could...
I'm not the best. Someone else could do a better job than me.
This is the voice of Imposter Syndrome, a voice I've been battling for years. In 2018 I wrote about beating this voice. I didn't lie—I was beating Imposter Syndrome back then, but this voice is persistent. Even beaten down,...
