By Cindy Koch –
Piles of whites, baskets full of darks. Towels, socks… Oh look, there’s the muddy jacket we’ve been missing. Hours of sorting, stain removing, washing, drying, hanging, folding, returning everything back to the closet drawers. As I’m putting away the last of the PJs and my laundry basket is finally empty, I glance at the little white hamper in my daughters’ room. It’s half full. And the laundry cycle is never over.
By Cindy Koch –
There were quite a lot of protest rallies last Saturday and on inauguration day. The gals got together in Washington D.C. as well. In our modern culture, it seems that if we are disappointed with the way things are going, we’d better show up somewhere with a sign. Admittedly, I was a little slow on the uptake. Sitting here a few days later scrolling through all of the pictures of protest groups proudly gathering to send a profound message, it all made me very sad.
By Cindy Koch –
There are times when a touch on my skin has made it crawl. I remember this feeling most clearly when I was pregnant and the crazy hormones pulsed throughout my body. Every sense was heightened during that strange and wonderful nine months. During that time, most everything that touched me sent prickles down my spine and registered on a scale of nausea.
By Cindy Koch –
It’s a hard mouthful to forgive someone their sins. They are some of the most awkward words to come out of your mouth. Firstly, you are bold enough to actually say “I forgive you,” which is not one of our top ten automatic responses in uncomfortable situations. Secondly, by pronouncing forgiveness, you are admitting that this person before you has sinned. In our passive aggressive culture, looking someone in the eye and calling sin a sin is a feat of bravery. Thirdly, this person probably didn’t even sin against you, so you are speaking the powerful words of God in His stead concerning His eternal judgement. You might wonder, who are you to proclaim these life-giving, sin-loosing words?
By Cindy Koch –
There is an underground world of hidden powers that the mortal world knows nothing about. A league of superheroes lives and works among you. We walk around by the light of day in tennis shoes and yoga pants. We pick our kids up from school in minivans. We blend into grocery store lines and walk our dogs through the park. We wake up early and meet at the office or the gym. We stay up late and watch Netflix. We are everywhere, but you might never even notice us.
By Cindy Koch –
The sun sets and a curious pang of hunger haunts an empty stomach. For a moment, panic strikes. What’s for dinner? Frantically, one searches for a solution to fill the void. This meal is an ever-changing story and never finished tale.
By Cindy Koch –
What do you want for Christmas?
A new iPhone.
How many times do you think the jolly old mall Santa Claus will hear that one this year? Wow, the pressures of Christmas presents, selfish expectations, and parenting issues tied up in this one little yearly tradition. Within earshot, mom’s eyes shift side to side, and she hides a frustrated smile. Her five-year-old wants an iPhone, pony, $500 Lego set, or a drone. That seems about right according to all of the other little kiddos eagerly waiting in line.
By Cindy Koch –
This time of year is blooming with photos of our memories and special moments. Christmas, loved ones, beautiful trees and tables—I always enjoyed these frozen moments until just recently. Up until now, I didn’t realize how perverted our pictures have become. Now, I’m not talking about sneaking a peek at dirty pictures of shameful things. Rather, we are all now shaped by a culture that has a deep reverence for a filtered millisecond caught on a phone. Every time my little boy creates something, he proudly says, “Mom, take a picture!” When my daughter thinks something is funny, she asks, “Mom, can take a video?” Of course, it is not just our kids who have this digital obsession. But until recently, I didn’t think about the ramifications of our spectophilia.
By Cindy Koch –
Do chestnuts roasting on the fire make you break out in hives? Does the holiday hustle find you hiding under the covers? Do the weeks leading up to the most wonderful time of the year fill you with anxiety and stress? You just might be experiencing the true meaning of Christmas. Now, I know this is not really what we want to hear. We would rather find a blog about ways to reduce our holiday stress. We would rather listen to advice on crafting our Christmas to be more restful. We long for something that will transform our Christmas preparations to reflect that serene Hallmark holiday.
By Cindy Koch –
The evergreen dresses in her stunning Christmas sparkles. Ginger and cinnamon waft from the warm Christmas oven. The family gathers close to the bright Christmas fire, but a guilt-ridden question hangs over our head. Carols sing sweetly in the white Christmas cold. Little toys hang from the tall Christmas tree. Candles, friends, and family light up the dark Christmas evenings. But somewhere in the middle of Christmas wreaths and gingerbread houses, we struggle with the Santa Claus conundrum. Should our old jolly friend visit our Christian household on that blessed Christmas Eve?
By Cindy Koch –
Turkey and mashed potatoes resonate strongly with our culture. Cranberry sauce, stuffing and buttery rolls seem to seduce us into large gatherings of people. Even thoughts of pumpkin pie with a creamy dollop of whipped cream expose an expectation to share food with the ones that we love.
By Cindy Koch –
It was an ordinary day at the local park. A toddler unsteadily trudged through the sand, hands spread out wide, undoubtedly to catch his next stumble. A girl smiled quietly as her mom pushed her swing. The air was quiet except for the morning birds and a dog’s bark from the other end of the park. That is, until they arrived.
By Cindy Koch –
When our passions spill out and our voices get loud,
When our politics wound and our views make us proud,
When our words, thrown like stones, slash more than just skin,
Our friendship slowly dies.
By Cindy Koch –
Well, the celebration has come and gone. Today, we begin to pack up the Luther storybooks and roll up our faux 95 Theses. Carefully, gently, we bubble wrap our Reformation items and store them next to the pumpkin tea lights for next October.
By Cindy Koch –
She spoke in a hushed voice so the other ladies at the table couldn’t quite hear. “Well, he really hates going to church on Sundays. He just wants to sleep in. I guess that’s just the way it goes.” She fake smiled and gave a cute little shrug, but her eyes stared desperately at me for a solution. Three other gals at the table were engrossed in another conversation, so I asked her to continue.
By Cindy Koch –
Have you considered the children of our world today? They are twelve years old and pregnant. Suicide watch seems to be a cool new trend among college students. Boys with guns can’t distinguish between a video game killing spree and elementary schools. There’s one question that rolls around in my mind: What is wrong with kids today?
By Cindy Koch – Let’s face it. They lurk around every corner. Mid-morning MOPS meetings, afternoon Bibles and […]
By Cindy Koch –
Coffee and conversation with a friend can lead to an unknown place. There are things that I don’t even know about myself until that mug warms my hand. Comforting aromas open my mind and release the flow of memories and emotions from the last time we talked. Overstuffed chairs lull me to a safe place, and the intimate dark colors on the celling protect our conversation as it pours out.
By Cindy Koch –
We hear it all the time: to really forgive is to forget it ever happened. If you don’t forget, then you must have a problem with your forgiveness. If you still remember the pain someone caused you, then you had better repent; you are not forgiving.
By Cindy Koch –
I did something terrible this morning. I guess it happens all the time, but I am still ashamed even as I type these words. Like you, I am one who is shocked at the dreadful state of our world today, but then I go participate in their deadly games. A gentleman ran up to me today and offered to carry a heavy bag to my car, that was only a few feet away. Without thinking twice, I shot him down.
