Author: Carla Waterman
I am a former Christian spirituality professor, a mentor, ponderer, musician and writer. I am owning my creative life blog upon blog, and as I learn the craft, I will add a podcast. I live in a northern suburb of Minneapolis, back in my roots with my husband and dog. I'm a new grandmother, and when I'm not reading, writing or playing piano, I often have a crochet hook and some good yarn in my hands.
Do the Next Thing
I have been watching some new bushes pass through autumn. They held their leaves longer than the cousins next to them, and turned a mellow shade of gold before becoming barren twigs for the winter. On the other side of the garden is a bush that is still brilliant red. Today I wished that I had more than… Continue reading Do the Next Thing
Double Meanings
We know only three things about her: she was on her 6th man (with whom marriage was apparently not an option), she was at the well with her water jar at high noon, and she was a Samaritan. But I think we can imagine one more thing: she was lonely. Intensely lonely. I have now lived… Continue reading Double Meanings
Drenched
I was talking to a younger friend yesterday who, in spite of careful stewarding of his financial resources, encountered tax bills this spring that completely wiped out a fairly healthy savings account. We spoke of the raw fear that comes when, in spite of our best efforts, we find ourselves in moments of financial insecurity,… Continue reading Drenched
Drop Everything Now
My senior in high school left the house this morning with a slight swagger on the way to the golf team meeting. The top of the totem pole looked great at 9:00. At 9:40 the view was slightly different. Cell phone rings: "Mom! I need a sports physical before try-outs begin at 12:15." Hmmm. "OK.… Continue reading Drop Everything Now
Before Their Time
I am retreating up in the mountains with my husband of thirty years at the very moment that my friends in Wheaton are laying their beloved son, student and soldier to rest. He was a classmate of my son's. So I walked over to our little chapel high in the treetops and prayed for Sam's… Continue reading Before Their Time
Engaged to Gratitude
Mary is waiting. When Gabriel arrives, she is waiting to marry Joseph. She is engaged, or rather, in more hefty biblical language and meaning, she is betrothed. She is technically married to Joseph. Now she is waiting out the prescribed year of preparation before she goes to live in Joseph's house as Joseph's wife. But… Continue reading Engaged to Gratitude
A Real Battle
A few years ago I found myself having sustained one of those sickening, confusing, fearful spiritual attacks for which one is completely unprepared. I could only describe it as a poisonous arrow…and then I thought of Paul’s “flaming darts of the evil one” at the end of Ephesians. Perhaps Paul was not just painting a nice word… Continue reading A Real Battle
Ubi Caritas
I had the most extraordinary experience on Maundy Thursday. I was playing the piano for the small church where I presently worship. It is part of the complicated map of American Anglicanism that regularly rearranges itself in this era. I have a deep love for the beauty and truth of this prayer book tradition, even as I ache… Continue reading Ubi Caritas
Narnia Revisited
If its been awhile since you have been immersed in Narnia, I heartily recommend it as an anecdote for that sluggishness of soul that so easily creeps up on us. Narnia has been in my teaching repertoire for several years now. In 2003 I began to teach a class called "The Seven Deadly Sins in… Continue reading Narnia Revisited
Carla Waterman 