The Unexpected Beauty of a Winter Storm

by Michele Cushatt | | 8 comments

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The view took my breath away. For two hours, I’d been hiking one of Colorado’s many hiking trails, backpack-laden, sweat dripping, calves burning. In the span of two miles, I’d climbed nearly a thousand vertical feet, not a small accomplishment considering the rocky terrain and incline. Each step required intentionality, each move complete focus.

Not to mention breathing. High-altitude breathing. Trust me when I say it’s hard to get oxygen that high in the sky.

But the view at the top made all the sweat and struggle of the two hours before worth the effort. Spread out in front of me sat the entire Breckenridge Valley, the ski slopes carving up one side, the tops of various other mountain

The Secret of Being Content

by Michele Cushatt | | 6 comments

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“It’s too hot!” he complained over the kitchen counter, complete with rolled eyes and his best pre-adolescent attempt to pretend he might pass out from the heat.

Nice acting job, buddy. I restrained rolling my own eyes.

Moments, before I’d told my twelve-year-old to go outside and play with friends. He needed to get some fresh air and sunshine. Otherwise we both might have a meltdown.

Granted, it was close to 90 degrees outside. Warm, no doubt about it. But not scorching or dangerous. And our neighborhood boasted plenty of large trees and front porches providing shade. It was a normal summer day, but already the break from school had lost its luster.

“It’s beautiful outside!” I told him. “Besides, remember a

The Kindness of Intentional Blindness

by Michele Cushatt | | 7 comments

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We were hoping for a long, slow dinner out with good friends. Instead, what we got was a mediocre meal and a rude waitress.

From the moment we walked in the door of the tiny cafe, we felt her chill. She didn’t want us standing by the door, nor did she like it when we sat in a couple vacated chairs while we waited for a table. When our table was finally ready, she seemed annoyed by the number of our children. Then, when we asked for an additional glass of water, she let us know she’d already brought enough for everyone. We must’ve misplaced it. Finally, when we discovered we’d been given a regular pizza when we’d

Miracles and the Making of Real Faith

by Michele Cushatt | | 3 comments

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The Gospel of Mark says four thousand people came to hear Jesus speak that day. Of course, this wasn’t the first time a crowd had gathered. By now, the disciples were used to men, women and children pressing close to the One who spoke of heaven as if it was present and here for the taking.

But this time the crowd stayed for three straight days. I imagine they slept on the grass, curled up in families in an attempt to ward off the cold. They wore the same clothes and went without showers. Worse yet, they’d long since consumed their sack lunches. That means, in their hunger for more of Jesus, they’d failed to eat.

This is why

The One Secret to Enduring a Tough Season

by Michele Cushatt | | 5 comments

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A quick look at my upcoming calendar nearly launched me in an enthusiastic episode of hyperventilation. Paper bag? Anyone have a paper bag?! As I scanned Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and every day following for several weeks, any free time and possibility of rest were swallowed up by commitments and responsibility. Once again, I’d said “yes” to too many appointments, meetings and projects. I knew better, had been here before. And yet, once again, I found myself in a wrestling match between promises made and potential meltdown.

The more I looked at the never-ending stretch of days, the more I felt buried under the weight of it. And with the weight came frustration, irritation, and anger. Even panic. How

Looking For Light in Days of Grey

by Michele Cushatt | | 6 comments

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A glance out the window revealed the day would be another gloomy one. Three in a row, maybe four. I wearied of it. I scanned east to west, and noted a thick band of grey rain clouds covered every bit of Colorado’s typical blue sky, eclipsing any hope of warmth yet again. Although only mid-October, the sweet days of summer felt a million miles away. Already I missed the afternoons spent lounging on the porch with a book or my laptop as well as the occasional nap in the sun. Only a long stretch of winter lay ahead.

After living in Colorado for nearly twenty-two years, I’ve grown accustomed to sunshine more often than not. Rarely does weather

The Radiance of His Presence

by Michele Cushatt | | 8 comments

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We’d counted down the days for months: a family vacation, at the beach.

Glory.

After a year of hustle and struggle, we needed a week of slow days filled with little more than food, laughter, play time and rest. A beach vacation promised just that. Even better, our Air Force son planned to return from a deployment overseas in time to join us. After a long year, we’d finally be together again.

It turned out even better than we hoped. Lazy mornings, unrushed days. Children laughing, grown-ups resting. And more good food than we knew what to do with. It was everything we dreamed it to be.

My favorite part, however, was none of those things, although I enjoyed them well

A Light in the Dark

by Michele Cushatt | | 21 comments

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I could feel a wave of tension the minute the words left my mouth.

I hadn’t said anything wrong, nothing offensive or provoking. My colleague and I had been trying to come up with a solution to business problem. And, simply, I’d made a suggestion she disagreed with. Although only a cell phone connected us, I could feel her disapproval.

I’ll be honest. Everything in me wanted to backpedal, to interrupt her strong and emotional response with a lawyer-esque defense. As she declared her dead-opposite position, I mentally gathered all the reasons she should consider my point of view. I wanted to explain until we reached agreement, using my powers of coercion to get us back on the same