by Charleen Burghardt In Spain, people developed the tradition of celebrating Las Posadas, which later spread to other Spanish-speaking countries. This celebration commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mexican immigrants introduced Las Posadas to San Antonio, where the community reenacts the journey each year in the downtown plaza. For nine nights, participants… Continue reading Do You Have Room?
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The Traditon of Remembering
By Charleen Burghardt Christmas abounds with meaningful and pleasurable traditions interwoven into the fabric of every household. These customs offer predictable rituals, like putting up a Christmas tree or attending a choir cantata. We associate the holidays with all the expected activities that connect us to our families uniquely. We associate the holiday with traditions.… Continue reading The Traditon of Remembering
Gratitude Is An Act of Faith
by Charleen Burghardt What a year this has been! I appreciate the many readers and your engagement in my posts. Thank you. What a year this has been! 2024 Has this year been a year of trials? As you know, my son, Joel, is in liver failure. Our prayers are for a partial liver from… Continue reading Gratitude Is An Act of Faith
The Power of Gratitude
by Charleen Burghardt “I’m weary but thankful,” I told a friend when asked how I was doing. My body may be fatigued and my emotions drained, but that doesn’t mean I am not grateful. The past two weeks have been overflowing with doctor appointments, company staying with us, extra meals to prepare, and lots of… Continue reading The Power of Gratitude
God Meets Us in Anger
by Charleen Burghardt “God is big enough to handle your anger.” “God is big enough to handle your anger.” When I first heard those words during my chaplain training, they made me reconsider my perspective on anger. Can God meet us in anger? Previously, I thought God would be offended if I told him my… Continue reading God Meets Us in Anger
God Takes Our Anxieties
by Charleen Burghardt My Father used his well-worn wheelbarrow for many manual tasks. I can still picture him in the yard loading rocks, dirt, or sod into this piece of equipment and dumping the contents in another place. He stored his wheelbarrow in the garage beside his other tools, but it might have been his… Continue reading God Takes Our Anxieties
Prayer Looks Up
by Charleen Burghardt “How will I manage without my phone?” he said in a panic. My husband and I recently visited the Olympic Peninsula on vacation in Washington state. We followed the shoreline, walking along the isolated driftwood-covered coast and enjoying the scenery. Olympic Peninsula As we returned to our vehicle to leave, my husband… Continue reading Prayer Looks Up
God is Near the Brokenhearted
by Charleen Burghardt God is near the brokenhearted. I have held on to that promise many times. Before you read further, I have exciting news.! I signed a contract with a publisher to write a devotional for those who have experienced loss. I hope it will comfort those grieving and let them know they are… Continue reading God is Near the Brokenhearted
Unplug
by Charleen Burghardt It’s so hard to unplug from technology. Have you ever waited at a traffic stop light and felt compelled to look at your phone? You wondered, “Did an important text come in?” “What if I miss an email?” Downtime I check my cell phone fifteen times daily out of compulsion and fear… Continue reading Unplug
The Promise of Comfort
Spring–March, April, May, and June bring warmer temperatures and special holidays like Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Our family celebrates a few birthdays and anniversaries, which makes the months busy. Anticipation before those events and later celebrating occasions gives me so much joy. Seeing family, eating together, laughing make the holiday grand. However, those… Continue reading The Promise of Comfort