by Emily Wierenga | Dec 18, 2011 | Uncategorized
his eyes are the eyes of a thousand sleepless nights and i’ve never seen such shadows on a four-year-old boy. “who is that?” i whisper to trent while the children’s choir sings and the church is decked out in holly and ivy and Jesus in a... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 16, 2011 | Uncategorized
The local news, this morning, featured the inventorof the Jesus toaster, which may or may not be agreat Christmas gift but at leastThis way you can have breakfast with Himany time you want, look him in his slightly charred eyesas you give thanks, before biting His... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
it’s been hours of arms circling the cylinder of the toilet, its white waist rising and i’ve got a baby in my arms. and i kneel there as if in prayer and puke in my hair and my baby laughs. because he doesn’t understand mommy being sick.and this... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
It was the whole point wasn’t it?His coming? To restore, redeem, mend all that is so very broken in us; in this old world.Christmas, if we cut everything else away isn’t it only about REDEMPTION?I am wondering, what does it mean to join in this work? How... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
Irritation makes her bark and bristle, so I lean closer. I speak softer and I skirt raw spots as we trace her story. She lived a childhood unprotected, and has lived it over and over again. She’s not the only one who teeters on the edge of shouting or shaking.... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
on occasion, when i’m feeling too lazy to get up from the couch to get myself a snack, i remind my husband, quietly, of the drug-free labor i went through four months ago with our second son, Kasher.it’s losing its effect. perhaps once a day is too often,... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
i caught a glimpse of myself in the window today as i rocked my baby and i looked older than i’ve ever looked, hair tied back, glasses, apron for the baking and all of me, mother. i looked like a mother. and i liked it.i’ve been missing them lately. my... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
snow, falling like the ideal christmas all fat and gentle and aiden clapping hands and us clamoring into hat and mitt and jacket. the first saturday in december, and it’s time to get the tree, and christmas isn’t christmas without a real tree. and we drive to oma and... by Emily Wierenga | Dec 2, 2011 | Uncategorized
“Listen to your life, see it for the fathomless mystery it is.” ~ Frederick BuechnerIt’s raining grey drops on the outside, peppering the asphalt and earth-dirt with heaven’s impartial, christening water. It smells like creation’s church... by Emily Wierenga | Nov 30, 2011 | Uncategorized
she was too old for her skin, all 13 years, and she stopped me in the hall and asked if we could talk. i was the nervous one, the young life volunteer, fresh-faced from college and it was chemistry, us going for coffee and jessica knew no love for an alcoholic mother...