Faith – Page 2 – Sincerely, Crystal

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Psalm 90: 1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Acts 17:28 In him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your poets haveContinue reading “Home”

Teddy Bears in Heaven

She cornered me in the hallway, wide-eyed. May I talk to you? Of course, I said. We leaned up against the wall as she smiled to her children behind her. I’m going to talk to Miss Crystal—you all go play in the room. Meet ya there in a few. My mind spun as I rememberedContinue reading “Teddy Bears in Heaven”

Simple Extravagance

Simple extravagance is a phrase I used this week a couple times to describe the felt experience of being in the presence of friends who get you, care for you and lavish love freely. The word simple means easily understood or done, or the state of being uncomplicated. It’s not without sacrifice, but it isContinue reading “Simple Extravagance”

Daughter of the King

I walk through the palace a little shaky, I look at the other beauties and question the dress I am wearing, The color of eyes You gave me. That color looks so lovely on her. What would it be like to have what she has? You whisper, You’re beautiful. I made you on purpose. IContinue reading “Daughter of the King”

Crashing Cars

As a child life specialist and play therapist, I watch kids day-by-day, come into my playroom and repetitively work over the emotional points of suffering in their lives. They’ll crash cars together over and over again; they’ll play out horrific words spoken to them; awful things done to them. They’ll play out their deepest fears. Continue reading “Crashing Cars”

Let God be God

In a culture where the trend is You do you… A culture that motivates with encouragement that you can do anything you want to do—be anything you want to be. Break down any wall and climb any mountain. Where does this statement of letting God be God fit? I’ve been studying the Psalms this summerContinue reading “Let God be God”

Puzzles

I hate puzzles. Hate. Loathe—never want to do them. Even the 24-piece ones that toddlers can do. It’s always a mystery to me why anyone would do a puzzle for fun. What does that even mean? I was that kid who would pound the random pieces that didn’t fit to force it to stick together.Continue reading “Puzzles”

Draw Near

She was shaking. She heard the echoing cheers of her family, and she smiled in eager excitement, but she was scared. I’d never seen her scared before. She was so feisty. She listened when she decided to. She had an eye roll that could rival any 17 year old. She marched to the beat ofContinue reading “Draw Near”

Steel Walls

I crouched on my knees with paper towels underneath them. I held my hair back with one hand, while I braced myself with another on the stall. My stomach turned, and my breakfast went in the opposite direction it was supposed to. I tried not to touch anything. Bathrooms are gross, but hospital bathrooms areContinue reading “Steel Walls”

Rays of orange and pink scatter the sky, to my left. The deep, dark blue dances in crashing waves, to my right. I sit in a blanket of white sand That shifts with each wiggle of my toes. My eyes are busy, capturing all the beauty possible to see— If I blink, I’ll miss something.Continue reading “More”