Author Archives: sherryvycitalyork

The angst that history has recorded of families divided during the Civil War, brother against brother, father, uncle or cousin; sisters, mothers, aunts, relatives of every age and gender, torn between long-held beliefs, cultural practices, and personal opinions, plays on my mind as I view the discord amongst family and friends as we endeavor toContinue reading “Finding Common Ground”

Thank You, LORD, for the clarity You have brought to my mind today. In the interesting clutter of possibilities of where to settle my attention, You have reminded me, again: You first, relationships second, my interests third. When I am confused between relationships and my plans, thank You when the way is made clear. SometimesContinue reading “For Today”

Is it any wonder that weariness has pervaded our land? That trudging through the slough of the pandemic, enduring unending political turmoil, and imagining every possible outcome from the attacks on our country’s very foundation have threatened one’s sense of tranquility? Add in the never ending intrusions of social media, online fixes, and constant dataContinue reading “Mental Exhaustion”

Free from the bonds of earth and of othersStill there’s a need for an anchoring limb Does it imagine it’s independentOf the wide world it’s growing in?Where does it spring from, come into being This whispy, exotic, diaphanous thing That proclaims with a boldness a certain uniquenessThat shouts to be heard among rooted things?If notContinue reading “Of Air Plants”

Thoughts of Old Testament altars bring to mind massive stone table-like structures where the blood of sacrificial animals poured out for sins of the people have left indelible stains. The killing of the bullock, the ram, the lamb, the dove, whatever animal was being offered suggests a chaotic scene: the holding of perhaps a strugglingContinue reading “The Altar of Grace”

What do I really hunger for, LORD, when my body seems well nourished, yet my angst to chew fills my mind. Is this a sort of “gnashing of teeth,” an emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual hunger that drives me on? Am I just bored? What’s the deal? Is it just because it is time toContinue reading “Hungry”

For many years a small wooden puzzle has had a place on my shelf. Perhaps Mother gave it to me, or I found it amongst her things. The picture is of a Mama rabbit with several wee bunnies surrounding her, and the words “Always anticipate a miracle.” This small 1.25” wide x 1.75” tall four-pieceContinue reading “Always Anticipate A Miracle”

“I love you, too,” she said to me. Yet I wondered. Her actions pushing me away, or so it seemed, says otherwise. Neglect at reaching out towards me, behaving in ways I think she should, do these negate love she might feel somewhere deep inside still . . . for me? And then “three fingersContinue reading “Love In-Action”

The loudest voice I heard directing what path I should take after high school graduation was, “Go to college!” It echoed down the halls of each school I attended, by teachers, counselors, parents. It was the shining goal all students were to run towards; the natural procession of things; the next breath to take. One’sContinue reading “Above False Gods”

Do some choose chaos to run and hide Into the maddening frenzied frayTo avoid that awful nakedness When hurts and sins before them lay?Takes courage to walk the humble roadTo be stripped bare of all pretense Of works and glory, self-righteousness Things we hold in our defensePiercing deep beneath outer shell That shields from worldContinue reading “Run To Peace”

“Oh my goodness!” the mother lamented as she listened to her adult children share their feelings about the home-style haircuts she had so carefully given them when they were young. Her memories reran to about 35 years earlier when the busyness of life precluded even the thought of taking the children for a professional haircut.Continue reading “It’s All In The Cut”

Peeking out the walled in frame Fearful took a mighty step To lean forward just a bit To look outside The walls were built there brick by brick Over time, or hurriedly Thoughts a fortress tightly made To keep inside Years of dwelling in that place Brought want of fresh air and new view PurposeContinue reading “Becoming Valiant”

Through tangled vines the light shines forth It matters not from where I seeThe light is dancing midst the leavesPast twists and turns, it reaches me The vines and trees in Czechy land Filter light as do the treesOutside my door, or down the streetOr wherever in the shade we meet In Germany we foundContinue reading “Tangled Vines”

I needed this word today, germinated from Maggie Smith’s quote, posted by my Noom group coach: Even when, especially when, Life feels cloudy, do your best to see yourself clearly. Try to articulate what inspires you versus what shuts you down, what excites you, what scares you. When you think about what you want andContinue reading “Inspiration”

Where comes this stiff-necked attitudeA veil in which to shield myself Predicting voices I will hearWhen ‘round certain loved ones dear?Confusing ‘tis for all of us How to navigate this trough Is bitterness inside of me The reason for my short rebuff?LORD, help me please to understand Why I act this toilsome way Where inContinue reading “Unveiling An Attitude”

Is dying to self an awful thing? Nay! ‘Tis but the process that ultimately bringsThe best of us grown out I shudder and cling to that that I know My familiar rut, behaviors that flow Naturally from me Around and around in the same old trackGetting stuck deeper, so much that I lack Would IContinue reading “Dying To Self”

Would You whisper in her earA word, to let her know You’re nearThat You are truly real To be a place that she can dwellTo flee the strife that ‘round her swells To be her place of refuge I cannot reach her, LORD, from hereI’m bound by space, how she believes Yet for her myContinue reading “Whisper Please”

When asked recently if there was someone in my life I needed to forgive, the long buried memory of a craft store owner (who unbeknownst to me was most likely a pedophile, or trafficker of child pornography) came to mind. Looking for a job as a clerk in his store, I was nearly reeled intoContinue reading “Keys To Unpacking One’s Soul”

It was a glorious snowy day. Snow had fallen through the night before, surprising the children of the farm with a glistening white wonderland as they peered out frosty windows that bright morn. Their day started early, for on the farm they had chores to do before school. The family had always risen with orContinue reading “Duck Duck! Quack Quack!”

How will it feel to suddenly be lifted up? Will there be a rush of changing barometric pressure, a need for oxygen? I suspect that when the LORD returns all those details will be already addressed, no baggage preparation or TSA checks for flight necessary. Only the readiness of one’s spirit to fly away toContinue reading “Rapture Dreams”

Driving up Idaho’s Highway 55, I am always heartened by the stalwart greeting of old barns. Some dilapidated, some fallen down, some still standing proud, they are weather-worn grey or faded red, or green, some more newly painted. Metal roofs seem the standard covering in this part of snow country. For these higher mountain meadowsContinue reading “Old Barns”

The procedure was necessary and would only take a few minutes. Outpatient. In-office. Not a big deal. Yes, it will be uncomfortable, but not for long. “You must hold still. Sit on the table on your knees, your rear in the air, head down in your arms.” Humiliation has a name. Mortification. Though a medicalContinue reading “Healing The First Colonoscopy”

Contemplating how to explain to our grandchildren the reality of God, whether or not one believes in His existence, the picture that came to mind was a fish tank, bubbling away, as fish of various kinds swam freely through the water. Or a school of fish, swimming deeper in the ocean. Some were older, someContinue reading “In Him We Live”

She sat stunned, unsure how to receive the news. The thought of it, how he had been taught, was beyond her comprehension. His grandfather had lived that way, finding “great return on his investment” by diversifying his wealth and allegiances among many. Little did she know this included his affections. “How many?” she inquired. “IContinue reading “Home Within The Sanctuary”

Have you noticed how consistent are the laws of nature? Nature has been carefully and thoughtfully constructed, not a willy-nilly whirly gig that randomly spins. Even the changeable things, like the weather, volcanoes, earthquakes, are somewhat predictable in their presentation, though cloaked in uncertainty. Most things do remain conventional. Gravity persists in its properties. DayContinue reading “Black Holes”