John the Baptist’s cry echoes through Advent: “Make straight his paths.” It is a summons not only to prepare for the Lord’s coming but to reform our lives so that nothing hinders His presence.
Continue reading “Making Straight the Path”
Advent is a season of waiting, but not of uncertainty. We wait anchored in hope—the hope that is not wishful thinking or fragile optimism, but the steady promise of God. Hope is the anchor that holds us fast when the waters of life grow restless, when shadows lengthen and the night feels long.
Continue reading “Anchored in Hope: A Gift for Advent”
The deepest struggle in marriage is not money, miscommunication, or even differences in personality—it is hardness of heart. When our hearts grow hard, we stop listening, stop forgiving, and let the sorrowful mysteries of life overwhelm us. Instead of turning toward one another, we retreat into silence or resentment.
Continue reading “Breaking Open With Love and Hope”
In a world that prizes noise and productivity, Christian contemplation offers a sacred counterpoint—a quiet path to God, and a way of becoming more like Christ.
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When Jesus said, “This is my Body,” he was not only pointing to bread on a table. He was naming a truth that stretches across the whole universe: everything physical, everything material, is also spirit‑filled.
Continue reading “Eating the Mystery: An Invitation to See Differently”
Saint Leo the Great once wrote, “Let no human being be thought worthless to a human being, nor should that nature which the Creator of things made his own be despised in anyone.” These words echo with timeless clarity, calling us to reverence the sacred dignity of every person.
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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
Creation is not mere backdrop to our lives—it is revelation. Every sunrise, every star, every hidden rhythm in nature is a wordless sermon, speaking of God’s glory without uttering a sound.
Continue reading “Marvels Written Into the World”
We were made to reveal God’s goodness—to be living signs of His mercy, love, and faithfulness. Yet how often do we conceal it? Not with malice, but with silence. With hesitation. With the quiet decision to keep God’s work in our lives tucked away, lest it be misunderstood or dismissed. Where are you revealing or concealing God’s goodness?
Continue reading “A Choice with Eternal Weight”
In a world that often feels loud, fast, and unforgiving, kindness and generosity are more than virtues—they are radiant echoes of Christ. They soften the edges of our days, interrupt cycles of fear and anger, and remind us that love is never wasted. But how do we cultivate this way of being when the world feels overwhelming? One answer: gratitude.
Continue reading “The Chain of Gratitude”
Five years ago, I launched Smitten with Goodness on All Saints’ Day with trembling hands and a heart full of longing. What began as a personal journey—working out my salvation with fear and trembling and seeking a deeper understanding of my faith—has become something far greater than I ever imagined. A quiet offering has become a place of encounter.
Continue reading “Five Years of Goodness: A Celebration of Grace”
Smitten With Goodness 