When No One Looks at the Evidence
Mephibosheth came to the king's gate in mourning clothes, carrying the proof of his innocence on his own body, and David split the land anyway. On slander, half justice, and finding out that what you wanted back was never the verdict.
The Scorn of Those Who Are at Ease
Psalm 123 names the mockery of people who are comfortable, the kind that costs the mocker nothing and stays with you for weeks. A reflection on casual contempt, and the one thing the psalm asks for.
The Barren One of the House
Psalm 113 climbs eight verses before it lands on one woman in one house. For the parent whose children come back every week and barely speak, the Hebrew has a name for it. The barren one of the house has the house, but not what the house was for.
The Mark That Speaks First
A label saves people the trouble of learning you. It carries the ending and none of the years that led there. For anyone introduced by the worst word in their story, and for the God who renames rather than argues with the facts.
What Your Worst Year Left in Your Hands
You sat near the back and hoped nobody would ask how you were doing. Whatever everyone else carried in, your hands were empty. But the comfort that reached you where you were sinking is the one that you can offer to others.
He Was Lame in Both Feet
Scripture says three times that Mephibosheth was lame in both feet, and it saves the last time for the final line of the chapter, after he is already seated at the king's table. Nobody healed him. He was welcome anyway.
Comfort According to a Promise
"Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant." A pastoral reflection on Psalm 119:76, and the prayer you reach for when rescue has not come: not asking God to change the situation, only not to leave you alone in it.
The Grip That Told Me the Truth
I said the words over communion hundreds of times before a wounded member gripped my hand and I finally heard them said to me. The Emmaus road on why you are not walking alone.
