Author: colleen arnold

Colleen Arnold is a family physician, widow, mom and freelance writer living in Lexington, Va.

The Raising of Lazarus

/ colleen arnold / 5 Comments

Dear friends, if our churches were open this weekend, many of us would hear the Gospel about the raising of Lazarus. It is one I’ve reflected on often, and I’d like to share one of my meditations on it with you.

Just click below and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Share it with as many people as you think need it, and if you can’t get it to work, shoot me an email and I’ll send it to you directly

Out of the Darkness

PS: If you see this on Facebook, it crossed over automatically. I gave up social media for Lent so I won’t see your comments there – leave them here instead so I am sure to get them!

Dear God….

/ colleen arnold / 2 Comments

Dear God, this is such a scary time, and I need your help…

Please open my heart to care for the people who need me with compassion and gentle patience.

Please open my eyes to the beauty that still surrounds me – the hyacinths in my yard, the cherry blossoms next door, the cardinals splashing in the puddles outside my window.

Please open my hands to serve others with generosity and caring.

Please open my ears to the gentle whispering of your Holy Spirit in my soul, the calm voice of stillness and peace that reminds me you are with us.

Amen.

Five Years

/ colleen arnold / 8 Comments

Last week marked the five-year anniversary of my husband’s death.

How can that possibly be?

Wasn’t it just yesterday morning he brought me coffee in bed, and yesterday afternoon we argued about dirty dishes in the sink? Wasn’t it last night he gently scratched my head until I fell asleep, and I woke to him snoring beside me?

If you’ve read along with me these past few years, you’ve probably noticed my grief slowly change. I can think of Neil now without my heart feeling like a wet dishrag being squeezed and twisted. I can remember the good times without tears. The rose-colored glasses of memory have slowly returned to clear lenses that show our life together wasn’t perfect.  Even so, not a day goes by when I don’t miss him.  

What’s my advice to the Colleen of five years ago? Here are my thoughts:

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