Broken Alabaster Boxes

The music throbs as they pass tonight. The road is unusually busy. Especially for a country that has recently implemented a lockdown from 8 PM to 5 AM. The current traffic shows no sign of following recent protocols. It's Christmas in Grenada. A time of family, friends, festive activities, and, for many, drinking and parties. However, Grenada recently has been hit with a cluster of Covid patients. As many as 800 people are in quarantine, having been in contact with a Covid patient. The government has implemented a list of new protocols.  As a foreign missionary, Christmas already can be a challenging time. Now, according to the laws of Grenada, there are to be no social gatherings. Christmas can only be celebrated with people from your own household. Which, currently, is only myself. I think of those who pass. It must be lonely without Jesus. The throb of the music. The drained bottle. The high druggies. All give evidence to that fact. And Christmas. Its the farthest thing from Chr...

Last year I mourned Christmas passing me cheerfully by in Minnesota. I missed the snow and cold. I missed caroling where you weren't wearing flip flops. I missed the Christmas parade and our community Christmas supper. Christmas cookies, special time with family, the festive feeling in the cold air. Instead I had palm trees, a hot sun, and something that felt far from Christmas.  This year I do not mourn my absence from Minnesota Christmas. Rather I mourn the absence of that Christmas, the long-held traditions that made it Christmas for me. It's bitter sweet. While it tugs to know that others are celebrating without me, the thought that those traditions aren't even taking place leaves me feeling empty. Thinking of lock downs and Covid leaves me feeling strangely stark and bare. Almost as if Christmas has been stripped away.  We say we are celebrating the real meaning of Christmas, but are we as much as we think we are? When our cozy little safe places are stripped away, do ...

We have this discussion in our house, whether cooking is difficult because we are singles with a busy schedule, or if it's because we happen to live in a place where groceries are more expensive and less dependable. Either way, ideas can be scarce and I work hard not to succumb to granola bars and crackers for my school lunch.  Maybe you're a single living alone. Maybe you live in a foreign country. Maybe you're a busy mom. Or maybe you've  got it all figured out. But here's a few ideas I have used that I've enjoyed. Maybe they can give you inspiration.  I don't know if you eat breakfast. For me it's a must, but it can't be anything to time consuming. This year my staple has been baked oatmeal. I bake a pan ahead of time so it's ready to go in the mornings. If you have a microwave, reheating it is a great option. If you don't, like me, eating it cold can be just as tasty. I've tried to keep my recipes varied, from pumpkin, coconut, or cof...

It's early and still dark when I rise.  My alarm sounds at an earlier hour then necessary in order to arrive at school on time, but I love my trysts with morning.  Water splashed onto face.  One light flicked on in the kitchen to make the coffee.  Sometimes standing, gazing across the ravine at the distant hill where sun will soon push it's way over the horizon. Sky streaked with color.  Sometimes gazing at the small strip of blue ocean visible from our house.  Pouring the steaming brew, it's time to begin the day with God.  A white string of light accents my room, setting the tone.  Some mornings my prayers are heavy.  Other mornings my heart overflows with praise.  Then my Bible. Isaiah right now.  Judgment.  Yet mercy.  And James, a memorization challenge. The whole book, due in January.  Then time to prepare for the day.  Puttering around the kitchen. A few dishes to wash. Ants to spray.  Water bottles t...

The morning feels steamy and slightly heavy. I can tell as I take my morning walk that, unless rain comes, it will be hot today. Last week it rained and the days were delightfully cool. This week it's been warm again.  Unlocking the door after my walk, I take off my shoes and grab my lunch box to quick pack it before heading to the shower. Emily and Ariana chat as they fry up their morning egg or dish out yogurt.  I carry two containers of bars to school with me this morning. Tonight is parent teacher meeting and we usually serve refreshments. I'm the first teacher to school this morning, which is usual. I drop my things on my desk, then open the windows to the hot tropical sun.  "Good morning Miss Krista." "Morning Omari. Ya good?" "Yes miss." I make a few notes in my lesson planner before I'm interrupted by calls from excited students.  "Miss. A centipede!" I grab the cutlass, known as a machete in the States, and advance carefully....

"I'm restless till I rest in You." These are the lyrics from a song sung by Audrey Assad.  And it rings deep.  "I'm restless till I rest in You." Life is busy. No matter where you find yourself.  Personally for myself, I find there's a certain business found on the mission field that is unique. Not that other seasons and times of life are not busy, but it's a different kind of busy. Often we come home from school, quick run a load of wash, throw together supper, and leave again for the evening.  If you are not drawing your strength from Christ, it becomes evident.  And your restless. Restless until you rest in Him. Many times it's not the rest of being completely alone, resting in body. Rather it's the choosing to be still and rest IN the busy. To allow your mind, your spirit, to be still even when around you there is business. Being still when you have a church activity, choosing not to allow school to stress you, enjoying the weekly grocery...