By Cindy Koch –
Perhaps you have loved someone. The relationship was good and fruitful. You felt safe and could talk about anything. You enjoyed spending time with this person, be it your spouse or sister, your father or friend. You were eager to do what was necessary to keep this love aflame. You endured through troubles, hardships, and even a little pain for the sake of your love. But always, in the end, you knew your love would be returned.
By Cindy Koch –
Just like any other Sunday, the ushers marched down the center aisle halfway through the church service. Their leather dress shoes kept even time with the piano music during the offering. As they passed our pew, I noticed neither one of the gentlemen were looking at their destination. Their heads were tipped to the right and they both wore a proud, goofy smile. I scanned the rest of the congregation for a clue to their delight. In a wave of curiosity, every man woman and child also turned to focus on the grand piano on the side of the church.
By Cindy Koch –
It was strange to see such a man so very proud of a pristine window. It was quite beautiful, in fact. The clear glass sparkled as tiny raindrops glittered the surface. Pretty lace curtains were tucked carefully at each edge. They gently draped to frame a perfectly symmetrical arrangement of vases and flowers. Two identical small cream ceramic vessels took their place on either side of one larger vase trimmed in gold, lavender flowers of plastic positioned gloriously in the center. Just beyond the flawless display, the heart of the house lay exposed, for all to see. A shiny glass dining room table presented four table settings. A crystal chandelier hung directly over the spotless centerpiece. Looking deep into the room behind the shiny glass, not one thing was out of place. Symmetry, cleanliness, order, perfection lay just behind the wide open window.
By Cindy Koch –
Ever since I became a mom, I have struggled with these words. I was at home with my little ones 24 hours a day. Morning breakfast, afternoon naps, after-dinner cleanup, evening bath time, and midnight feedings. As much as I loved my children, as much as I loved being a mother, I discovered a repressed adventurous longing for something more. I would watch my husband open and close the door, venturing off into an interesting wide world just beyond the front walkway. And I would wash, rinse, repeat, one more day, one more time. I’m just a mother.
By Cindy Koch –
Our story of woman follows a storyline of love, the greatest virtue given by God. But even more, we were made to love, just as we were made to breathe. Wisdom has taught us we have been created to love one another. Wisdom moves our relationships express love to someone else. Wisdom has shaped our convictions and principles, emboldening us to love our neighbor, our spouse, our child, and our friend.
By Cindy Koch –
(The following is an excerpt from a presentation given on October 14, 2017)
I once asked the question out loud, “Have you ever been angry at God?” and I was met with a confusion of quiet stares. On my left I saw a half nod, quickly quieted as her eyes crossed the room. On my right, solemn and serious foreheads wagged stoically, no. A few frozen faces held their breath as the question hung in the air. Yet, for some reason, no one boldly shouted out their yes or no. The question uncomfortably stood before us, naked and embarrassing, and we didn’t know how to answer.
By Cindy Koch –
From the outside, you may think it’s not easy to be a Christian. From what you hear, there are a lot of rules and righteous stuff to do. You have to love your neighbor and turn the other cheek. You have to be honest and spend a chunk of your weekend at church. People from this church place will flood into our life whether you like it or not. You are now accountable to a whole bunch of other strange people who call themselves Christians. For someone who is doing just fine on your own, this certainly doesn’t sound easy.
By Cindy Koch –
It was only 6:15 in the morning when the radio clicked on in the dark, cold car. “49 confirmed dead, but that number will surely rise…” It took my breath away to hear the first audible voice of the day speaking about such horrific events that had passed as our night broke into daylight. Suddenly radio screams and tap-tap-tap gunshots pierced our sickly curious silence. Right in the middle of our daily drive to the gym, tragedy stretched it’s sting across the airwaves – and without parental permission, it touched my family car.
By Cindy Koch –
When I was young, I imagined a great many things about my future life unknown. I can remember the cool Colorado grass at just about sunset, gazing up at the colorful evening clouds. The light melted into orange and pink, blue and purple, casting faraway shadows and valleys above me. And somewhere in that fluid landscape in the sky, a little 7-year-old girl told stories about her adventures and loves and victories to come.
By Cindy Koch –
They know how to keep us coming back. They give us just enough to have us running back for more. A sprinkle here, a taste there, but not too much… Just a little bit of Jesus.
By Cindy Koch –
Look in the mirror, my daughter. What do you see? Can you see the beautiful girl that God created you to be? Do you see the white robe of righteousness that Christ put on you? Do you see a perfect and blameless life that lives inside of your heart? Probably not. You might see a familiar face that you remember looking back at you on both happy days and sad days. But she looks pretty normal. Maybe she doesn’t even look all that special. How could this girl in the mirror be the amazing bride that Christ loves?
By Cindy Koch –
You know, God never gives you more than you can handle. When He closes a door, He opens a window. He will wipe away every tear and restore you to your best life, now. He has a plan and a purpose for your life, and of course, God wants you to be happy.
By Cindy Koch –
I watched your face when I said that to you. Your eyes widen just a little. Your chin shifts back as the syllables sink in. You heard me, but it seems like the words must mean something else. We are better than what? What is she really saying here? You look right and left wondering if anyone else is listening. Consciously the muscles in your face try to relax. You try to take a deep breath and attempt to understand what I really said, but I can still see the exposed panic in your eyes.
By Cindy Koch –
I know I’m not the only one. We’ve all done it at one time or another. It usually surfaces when we are at a crossroad, important decision, or uncomfortable spot. Sometimes it is in response to something really terrible—a death, loss, or extreme sin we find within. It flashes through the mind of almost everyone who loves our Creator, Redeemer, and Preserver. We take a reflective step back and ask, “What is God’s will for my life?”
By Cindy Koch –
Until I taught a Bible study on Proverbs 31, I really didn’t know how very much women were hurt by this chapter in the Bible. Now, this is the inspired Word of God, and all of Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (1 Timothy 3:16). Certainly, women are in need of this, just like any Christian. Proverbs 31 is a beautiful Hebrew poem about a righteous woman who fears the Lord. But in the hands of our Christian women’s community, it is beginning to resemble a baseball bat in the hands of an ice skating maniac.
By Cindy Koch –
The invisible wall of generation usually keeps me on my side of the courtyard on Sunday mornings. Right after church, however, the central coffee station is a hustled mixture of young and old. And there the coffee flows, not quite quick enough for some of us. Waiting in line, we pass friendly smiles and sweet “How do you do’s?” But as soon as the divine liquid morning blessing fills our flimsy Styrofoam cup, we part ways back to our usual conversation spot.
By Cindy Koch –
Deep breath. What do you smell? What do you taste? What do you feel? Exhale. We slowly, calmly, intentionally explore every sensation rushing through our minds. Stop focusing on the past, look right in front of you. Stop anticipating the future, simply embrace the present – today. Mindfulness, being present, living in the now, is the popular practice of the moment in our crazy mixed up world. (In my local city, even kids are offered mindfulness periods in public school.) It’s possible I wouldn’t have ever noticed this funny little quirk in our current culture. But I’m hearing more about this trend that tries to comfort the tormented minds of our world. And I’m beginning to wonder if this is a silent assault on an ancient truth.
By Cindy Koch –
More and more, I am convinced that we are what we hear. Words have this incredible ability to shape the perception others have about us, inform the identity we have of our own self, and set a pattern for our future. Just like a wise mama once told me, the things we tell our children (good or bad) they will live up to. I learned this the hard way when I mistakenly told my children that kids don’t like broccoli – they made sure to prove my words true.
By Cindy Koch –
Have you ever wondered if one little event could change your whole life story? I have. What if I invested my teenage savings into a skateboard instead of a surfboard? Had I taken a different class in college, would I have cultivated the same passions and career today? If I would have said yes (or no) to this or that, how much different would my story be? For years and years, I’ve wondered. And at first, I thought I was the only one. The nagging little questions, unspoken fears, and short-lived victories played their part in the secret narrative in my head. But soon enough, I heard your unsure tale as well. Sister, you trusted me enough to reveal your hopes and fears, advice and disappointments. You also wonder about your story.
By Cindy Koch –
There she sits in church. Her flawless makeup glows in the morning sunlight, but you can barely see the bronze boundary line hidden under her chin, exposing that fragile shell of beauty she wears on the outside. She smiles, but a tension at the crease of her lips hints at the mechanical show she must again perform this morning. Her words are careful, considerate, guarded. Her voice is so unnaturally calm. In fact, one might suspect a screaming demon is held captive just behind her next breath. But there she sits, confident that she belongs there.
