by Elaine Olsen | Jan 23, 2012 | book review, friendship, give aways, pain, writing
Several months ago, I wrote a post on solving the problem of pain. In it, I talk about the idea of personal creativity and its direct connection to helping heal the wounds of others. Musicians play instruments. Singers sing. Bakers bake. Teachers teach. Planners plan....
by Elaine Olsen | Nov 28, 2011 | cancer, cancer volume 4, death, eternity, friendship, grief
Judith made it home to Jesus on Thanksgiving Day. I’ve been living with her absence since then. Four days is hardly enough time to displace my grief. I don’t have a place to put my grief, not really. I can’t send a casserole to the West Coast… can’t stop by the family...
by Elaine Olsen | Oct 25, 2011 | calling, friendship
Love stretches the soul. When was the last time that love stretched your soul? Reached inside your heart and pulled it outside for exposure, for adventure, for remembrance, for renewal? How long has it been since you left the safety of your carefully constructed,...
by Elaine Olsen | Sep 27, 2011 | cancer, cancer volume 4, friendship, grace, pain
She called me to tell me that her cancer had returned. Truthfully, neither one of us thought it had gone anywhere, but we didn’t mention it. Instead, we just held the moment together. Paused long enough to breathe in and out a time or two and then continued in our...
by Elaine Olsen | May 25, 2011 | calling, friendship, living God's truth
My neighbor taught me a lesson a few days ago. A lesson about what it means to be a steward of inconvenience. I call him neighbor, but the truth is I don’t even know his name. He lives down the road and around the corner from my home. I only see him in passing while...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 26, 2011 | faith, friendship, writing
I’ve been writing this morning, trying hard to edit and rewrite portions of my current work-in-progress. In particular, I’ve been focusing on Hebrews 11:4 and Abel’s great contribution to our walkabouts in faith. The title of the piece is “Faith Gives a Good Offering...
