What Is in a Word?

May: Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Eight years ago: May 2017

Diagnosis:

Ed has headaches.

(But he has always had migraines; surely they aren’t serious.)

Ed has a brain tumor.

(It is in a safe location for surgery; surely he will recover.)

Ed has brain cancer.

(He is young, hearty, and strong; surely he can fight this.)

Ed has glioblastoma.

(What?)

I open Google.

Definition:

Glioblastoma glee-ow-bla-stow-muh

(The word struggles on my tongue.)

GBM

“Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor that invades and destroys healthy tissue.”

Aggressive, fast-growing, fatal

Villain, monster, murderer

“Those with untreated glioblastoma live an average of four months.

With treatment, those with glioblastoma live an average of fifteen months.”

(Lord, have mercy.)

Oh that I had never heard/seen/felt/smelled/tasted this word.

Glioblastoma means no hope.

No hope from Google, no hope from doctors, no hope from science.

Glioblastoma produces loss.

Loss of personality, loss of mobility, loss of vitality.

Glioblastoma brings death.

Death of a father, death of a husband, death of a friend.

I feel desperate, despairing, defeated.

I open God’s Word.

Deconstruction:

“I will not leave you”ⁱ

(Promise?)

“I will wipe away all tears” ⁱⁱ

(When?)

“I will destroy the death enemy.”ⁱⁱⁱ

(Even glioblastoma?)

“I came to give abundant life.”^iv

(Now?)

Dominion:

Choosing to believe a diagnosis is not final,

words have power,

but the Word prevails.

“O grave, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting?^v

Thanks be to God for victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”^vi

(Amen.)

i John 14:18

iiPhilippians 1:22

iii 1 Corinthians 15:25-26

ivJohn 10:10

v1 Corinthians 15:55

vi1 Corinthians 15:57

With Us

Each winter, I attend a widows' retreat where I relish connecting with other widows. Some have been widows for many years; others are beginning the journey. Some are grandmothers and empty nesters; others have babies and preschoolers. Some lost their husband after a long illness; others faced the trauma of sudden death. But regardless of the specific details, we bond on the common loss of our husbands.

I have many many caring friends and family. I am surrounded by people who I can connect with in many ways. But I'm always surprised how I feel understood when I gather with this group of widows. These ladies never met Ed, and they don't know my children. They've never been in my house and don't know my church family or my siblings. But they understand me in ways that surprise me, because they are walking the same road. 

This winter I worked through a study of the book of Matthew using God With Us, a Bible Study published by Daughters of Promise. It was fascinating to delve into what it means that Jesus is called "Emmanuel, God with Us" and the wonder of His birth, life, death, and resurrection as God in human form. 

God created the human race, but He didn't walk away from His creation, even when they broke his commands. He continually reached out to humans. He walked with Enoch, rescued Noah, talked with Abraham, called to Moses in a burning bush, and led the Israelites with a cloud. Again and again, God met His people - in dreams, by angels, on mountains, in a quiet voice, in thunder, by priests, by judges, and by prophets. 

Then came years of silence, barren times, with no recorded messages from God. But the silence is broken with a startling proclamation from an angel. 

You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins...they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21,23

God, the Son, on earth. With us. Startling. Unbelievable. 

In a human body, Jesus battled temptation, suffered hunger, faced rejection, and became tired – like us. But unlike us, He never sinned, he never complained, he never gave in to self-pity, fear, worry, envy, or hate. He was holy, perfect.

But in His perfection, He didn’t stand aloof from the problems and pain of this world. He walked beside hurting, limping, broken people.

Reading through Matthew, I was struck with how often it specifically mentions that Jesus touched broken people - lepers, blind, paralyzed, even the dead. These were people who were shamed, shattered, outcasts, marginalized, and considered hopeless. Each were separated from others because of their needs - a disease, handicap, or failure. But Jesus reached out and touched their broken bodies to prove that He could heal the ugliness of sin inside each of us.

At the widows' retreat, I feel understood and loved because others are walking the same road I am. They gave me a tiny glimpse of what it meant for God to come to earth and walk this earth with humans. God with us, God who walked with us, ate with us, died as a human, and rose again - this is a God who can transform our brokenness today. 

Jesus didn't leave us alone when He returned to heaven. He sent His Spirit to continue to walk with us. And it is His Spirit at work in us that allows us to reach out to others today.

The book of Matthew began with a proclaimation of Christ's birth - God with us. Matthew ends with another proclaimation from Jesus.

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

Life can feel heavy. This past week I've watched a number of people that I love face hard things. I need reminded of the living power of God who is working in and through the lives of His people. I need to reread the Gospels and rejoice in the revelation of God shown in its pages. I need to spend time with God's people and hear how God has walked with them. I need to allow God to use me to touch the brokenness around me.

Emmanuel, God with us. Today and always. Until the end of the world. All praise to Him.

The photos on this post are from the Inn at Sabbath Rest in Altoona, Pennsylvania where we held our widows' retreat. If you are looking for a lovely old home for a gathering, I highly recommend this Airbnb. The setting was perfect for a time of reflection and sharing.

Sisters' Bookshelf - Poetry

Two years ago, I wrote about my goal to read slower and my struggle with reading poetry. Poetry had always been something that I wanted to enjoy, but didn't. But I realized that I needed to read poetry slowly, savouring the words instead of inhaling them, in order to enjoy them. 

Last year, a friend challenged me to read a poem every day. I haven't quite accomplished that habit yet, but I have been more deliberate about keeping a poetry book nearby and dipping into it occasionally. I keep reminding myself that poetry isn't like prose, and one page is adequate, probably even preferred. 

I've also decided that I enjoy modern poetry more than classic poetry. This sorta surprises me since in general I enjoy old classic books. I do enjoy some poets such as Christinia Rosetti, but I struggle to appreciate great poets such as Tennyson, Wordsworth, Poe, Yeats, and Coleridge. And I decided to be okay with that. I occasionally push myself to read out of my comfort zone, (such as my attempt at Paradise Lost by Milton last year), but I don't apologize for enjoying some modern poets. (And there is LOTS of modern poetry that I don't enjoy!)

I also found that I most enjoy poets who write on nature and Biblical themes. Maybe this is because these are two categories that I know something about so don't feel as lost. I enjoy how these poems can help me look at Biblical accounts and the natural world with fresh eyes. 

I know opinions on poetry vary widely, but if you have simular poetry preferences, maybe you'll enjoy some of the books Charity and I have enjoyed.

This post includes affiliate links.

Charity- 

Water at the Roots by Philip Britts

I am a new explorer into the world of poetry. So often I find poems overwhelming and over my head. This book ( a recommendation from my brother) is perfect for anyone who feels intimidated by poetry. Philip Britts joined the Burderhoff community in Costwald, England during World War 2. Eventually he immigrated with the colony to Paraguay. His life story is narrated between his poems, with journal entries and other writings. Not only is Britts an inspiring man, the poetry is beautiful. I devoured this book and definitely will be coming back to it in the future.

Habitation of Wonder by Abigail Carroll

Do you notice a theme? My favorite poetry is about nature. These poems range from an Ode to Onions to How to Prepare for the Second Coming. As I flip through the book the phrase that comes to mind is "a celebration of words.” I find myself filled with wonder as I read these poems and long to get out and enjoy this beautiful world. If you love words and nature and God, you will love Carroll’s poetry. 

Gina - 

Calling Your Name by Janice Etter

Janice is a German Baptist  mother and grandmother from Indiana. Her poetry is relateable as she examines life, nature, and faith through the power of written words. I like poetry that is approachable without being trite, and this book fits this goal perfectly.

Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw

Last year I was on a huge Shaw kick, reading several of her prose books as well as several poetry collections. This collection, which follows the life of Christ from the Annuciation to the Resurrection, is my favorite so far. These are poems that prompt worship. Shaw is now in her mid-nineties and still writing poetry with a new book coming out this spring, so she has decades of poetry for us to enjoy.

If you want to add a bit of poetry to your day and don't know where to begin, grab a hymnbook. Hymn lyrics are poems and many of them are beautiful. This is an easy way to add the beauty of words and spiritual refreshment to you day.

April is Poetry Month. Even if it is out of your comfort zone, try reading at least one poem this week! 

Do you have favorite poets or poetry collections? 

Sisters' Favorite Bright Winter Books

In January and February, Charity and I took part in the Brighter Winter Reading Program. We've done this every year since it began, and it is one of the highlights of our winter. Not only do we get stretched a bit out of our comfort zone, we also love connecting with other readers over books and discovering new-to-us books.

We are each sharing three of the favorite books that we read for Brighter Winter this year. 

This post contains affiliate links.

Charity-

1. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers 

(Classic by a female author, book from my unread shelf)

A masterpiece of Golden Age detective fiction, this mystery was everything I love about Sayers. She didn't just write a murder mystery but included the humor and depth of human character that all her books contain. Sayers worked in the advertising world in the early 1900s, which makes the setting of an ad agency all the more realistic. This is one of my favorites so far in the Lord Peter Wimsey series.

2. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tezmach Lemmon 

(Book set in Asia, book that features clothing or sewing)

The Taliban has gained control of Kabul and all women are suddenly thrust into a new way of life. The city is ruled by fear--don’t say the wrong things, talk to the wrong person, and, if you’re a women, become invisible. Suddenly countless Muslim women working to support their families find that those jobs are almost all illegal for women to hold. This is the story of Kamila, a young women who becomes a successful business owner, risking much to support her family and provide jobs for other women. This true story had me marveling at how God made humans to be incredibly resourceful and creative even in the most oppressed situations. 

3. Miriam’s Kitchen by Elizabeth Ehrlich (book by an author of Jewish heritage)

This memoir combines Elrich’s family story and her mother-in-law's memories of the Holocaust, intertwined with Jewish food. The author explores her Jewish heritage and her journey back to the kosher lifestyle of her grandmothers and mother-in-law.  It is a book I won’t soon forget, and it may be a favorite of 2025!

Gina -  

1. Under a Silent Sky by Claudia Lehman 

(Two books by the same author, book from my unread shelf)

I've had this book on my shelf for years but somehow never read it. I find books about persecution hard to read, even though I know they can inspire deeper faith. Set in the 1200s in a Waldesian community, this historical fiction asks questions about following God even when He appears silent. Quote: "There's no truer worship than to honor Him for who He is when everything He's doing disappoints you."

2. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman 

(Book mentioned in another book)

I love reading time management books, but this one is unlike most. Burkeman begins with the fact that our time on earth is fleeting (only four thousand week, give or take a few). He shows the futility of thinking that we can control time and the flawed goal of productivity. Though Burkeman doesn't approach life from a Biblical perspective, he had a valuable perspective that I needed.

3. By Searching by Isobel Kuhn 

(Book about someone converting to Christianity)

A teen enters college, where her parent's religion is scorned by her professor, so she rejects God and lives for the next party. When she finds that her fiance is cheating on her, she becomes so depressed she plans her suicide. This may sound like the story of a modern teen, but it happened over one hundred years ago, in the 1920s. In By Searching, Isobel tells of her spiritual journey and how God led her from a depressed college student to missionary to China. God's leading in her life is inspiring.

Sisters' Reading Plans in 2025 - 

For the last four years, Charity and I enjoyed sharing the Sisters' Reading Challenges. It has been fun to have some of you join us, and we enjoyed stretching ourselves to read different books. We always enjoyed discussing the books we read and laughing during a bookish photo shoot. You can find all the past reading challenges and books reviews on the Book Tab on the Home Joys blog. 

But since Charity is busy with two little ones, we do not plan to set any reading challenges for 2025.  But we know that we will still be reading, and we always love talking about books, so we plan to do a post once a month or so and chat about books we are reading and give book recommendations.

So here is a question for you...

What kinds of books would you like us to discuss? 

Are you looking for middle grade fiction, memoir, picture books, gardening books, or ??? Let us know and maybe we can put it on our list of topics. 

And as always, we'd love to hear what books you are enjoying. What was one of your favorite books that you read this winter?