Conversations with God

We all know the story of Peter walking on the water. Despite its familiarity, I saw something new in it recently. As Jesus pulls Peter out of the water he asks him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt. 14:31). It's not the first time Jesus asks his disciples this question. But as I reread it, I found myself asking something different. What was it Peter was doubting? He wasn't doubting Jesus' ability or willingness to save him - that's why he cried out to him. No, he doubted his own ability to do what Jesus told him to do. Remember, Peter told him, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." So Jesus said, "Come" (Mt. 14:28, 29). So many times we ask God to use us, work through us, and make a difference. Here, Peter has an opportunity to demonstrate Jesus' authority over wind and waves to the other disciples. But somewhere between the asking and the answer, he began to doubt. Have you been ther...

May is an interesting time of year for me. As a teacher, it feels more like the "end of the year" than December does. As I face only a month more with "my babies," I inevitably find myself looking back: Did I do enough? Did I give them enough love, attention, and time? Are they going to be ok in Kindergarten? What about after that? I want to hold them in my arms forever. I want to protect them from the ugliness of the world, despite the fact many of them have already met that ugliness face-to-face. Don't get me wrong - this truly is a time of celebration. Each one is a big miracle in a tiny package: The ones who came in distrustful and angry who now are the biggest huggers, the ones who couldn't or wouldn't talk but now won't stop, the ones who just needed some boundaries and now are thriving within them... In August, a year feels like forever. We have plenty of time to do it all! May brings me back to reality with a crash. But it also forces...