The Backpack

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:30)

Years ago, when I was working on my master’s degree, I noticed some pain just under the right side of my collar bone. I’m not opposed to going to the doctor, but I didn’t want to take the time. When I went to the doctor to find out what was causing the pain, I was surprised by the diagnosis—a pulled muscle in my back.

But the pain was in the front, not the back, so I questioned the doctor—was she sure? She was patient and launched into an explanation about how some of the muscles in my back are attached to my rib cage, which is why I felt the pain in the front instead of the back. I’m still not entirely sure I understand how that worked, but one thing I did know for sure—I wanted to prevent it from happening again. Continue reading “The Backpack”

The Lighthouse

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Matt. 4:13)

My family and I recently visited two lighthouses on Lake Michigan. The history behind the beautifully restored lighthouses on Lake Michigan fascinates me. The lighthouse keepers and their families were isolated in a way that we can’t imagine today, even with the isolation caused by the pandemic. Imagine you’re the lighthouse keeper at Point Betsie Lighthouse, or his wife or child. The nearest road was 40 miles away, and it could be reached only by boat, which severely restricted access in and out. The lighthouse had been in operation for decades before the townspeople of nearby Frankfort, Michigan, banded together and raised money to create a road directly to the lighthouse for delivering supplies. Continue reading “The Lighthouse”