Are there memories whose goodness has surprised you? Though not a poet, I took a workshop earlier this year which involved writing a poem that explored the divine through joy. Inspired by the vividness of Li-Young Lee’s sense-awakening poem “From Blossoms”, I tried writing about a kind of remembering moment that has taken me by surprise,... Continue Reading →
Known: On Thinking of God at an Angle, Part 2
How do you picture the face of God? Does She smile with you? Does He gaze down with a stern expression? Are Their eyes totally unreadable? When a writing workshop asked me to write something that approached God from an unexpected angle, I began thinking through the language of Psalm 139, which seems to suggest... Continue Reading →
Present Help: On Thinking of God at an Angle
What do you hold onto? Where do you land when you fall? I’ve noticed more and more how images of God’s presence that once spoke to me will empty out over time. New ways of thinking and feeling take their place. Even the most meaningful language can wear out with use, after all, and we... Continue Reading →
Mourning, Longing, and Other Sacred Acts
What happens inside as you mourn? Where does mourning take you? I’m guessing a lot of us have much, much more familiarity with mourning since 2020. We’ve lost things. We’ve lost people. As I, myself, have mourned, I’ve felt longing winding itself through that sense of loss. I long for people, I long for ways... Continue Reading →
Prayer on Waking and Trying Something New
Do you enjoy trying new things? I do, and I don’t. I do enjoy the mix of experiences, personalities, and perspectives that new things can bring. I enjoy learning and surprises. I enjoy finding unexpected beauty and encountering the world in new ways. Sometimes, though, I don’t enjoy the vulnerability of immersing myself in things... Continue Reading →
Thoughts and Readings, Part 3 (Kat’s Dreams)
Pleased to share this final in a 3-part video series discussing my new book, Kat's Dreams. Thanks, again, to RM Media for these video opportunities! https://youtu.be/DmB9vxaKpeA Smith reflects on what faith means in difficult times and on her new novel, Kat's Dreams. Transcript: Smith: The fiction series I’m working on is called Sacred Grounds. The Sacred Grounds... Continue Reading →