Mundane Faithfulness

Music

Kara’s Collection: Unbalanced

Kara’s Collection: Unbalanced

from an article originally posted May 5, 2014...

My dear sister in law brought me an essential oil after I had my double mastectomy. It’s called balance. She would put in on the bottom of my feet at night to help calm me before bed after my horrible surgery. Last night, I nearly bathed in the stuff. I see the word balance, and I feel like I need this magic potion. Except I know it isn’t magic, I know it can’t change my story. But I felt so very unsteady last night. I nearly drained the little bottle of calming oil.

Kara’s Collection: Daily Graces

Kara’s Collection: Daily Graces

From an article originally posted February 2, 2014…

Each day meets us with unbelievable graces to take each new step. Westside is making changes and walking in new graces and growth. People are growing in depth and heart-sharing from life, real life. Moments of rejoicing and heartbreak met in a community of people desiring the nearness of God. Each new moment, a challenge in grace and honesty. Honesty with our own personal struggles as well as our struggles with faith.

Kara’s Collection: In the Dark Hours

Kara’s Collection: In the Dark Hours

From an article originally posted January 27, 2014…

The evening hours are always the most difficult. My heart breaks, my fears come, and certainly the lies persist. My failures feel as though they are placed under a spotlight, and grace is difficult to come by in the dark. It was so good to share my heart in this place, to cry big, hard tears, and to invite Jesus into my broken heart to walk me towards grace.

Kara’s Collection: River, Joni Mitchell

Kara’s Collection: River, Joni Mitchell

From an article originally posted December 15, 2013…

Struggling to sleep tonight. My mind is too full of the coming week. The one test is causing the list of details for next week to be confused. Excited children implore me to do a myriad Christmas events. I look at them with a blank stare, hardly able to remember days. Parties, gifts, the best of the season is going on and I cannot focus. I want to be present, smiling, there, but I’m distracted. It frustrates me, I don’t want these tests to steal mind space, moment’s peace. Similar to last year, I have purchased and hidden toys. I’m not sure what I’ve purchased or where I’ve hidden them. I’m not sure if I’ve been shopping equally, or if one child has excess and another barely has anything. My hope is after Tuesday the fog will clear.

Kara’s Collection: Grace Behind Me! Grace Before Me!

Kara’s Collection: Grace Behind Me! Grace Before Me!

From an article originally posted September 26, 2013…

I’m visual, and I’m forgetful. I forget what grace there was last year. I crumbled in the office when the doctor told me chemo might be in my future. I told him I couldn’t, he told me I would. I wept big tears. He couldn’t possibly understand what he was asking of me. My other doctor told me I might have another hill to climb. He was gentle. He patted my shoulder, he wanted to cry too, I think.