Tag Archives: Family

A Golden Anniversary

Posted on by under Choices

Journal 2025

I seldom post a current blog, but this milestone deserves to be shouted from the rooftop: We made it!

Fifty years ago today, on August 8, Scott and I vowed to stay married “through sickness and in health, through poverty and wealth, till death do us part.” We’ve had our share of health challenges, and we know what it’s like to pinch pennies as well as to enjoy abundance. But we’re not dead yet.

Our marriage had a rocky start as we came from vastly different cultures, lifestyles, and worldviews. In fact, ten years into our marriage, the pastor who did our pre-marital counseling revealed he wasn’t sure we would make it. Well, we proved him wrong!

My husband prefers bland American food, golf, Trivial Pursuit, hot tea, and talks for a living. I like spicy international cuisine, hiking, word games, coffee, and get paid to listen. He’s a night owl, a pessimist, a clutter bug. I’m a morning person, an optimist, and a minimalist. He grew up in upper-middle-class society, living in Massachusetts, New York, and Vancouver, Canada. I grew up in a mud-brick house (built by my father) in an African village. He’s a spontaneous extrovert, and I, a one-track-minded introvert.

We bonded over our transient childhoods, our mutual love of speech and drama, table games, a few TV shows, traveling, our family of course, but most of all, our faith. I knew at age 5 that I wanted a relationship with the God of my loving missionary parents. Scott met his Savior at age 21, as an adult child of two alcoholic parents. We determined on our wedding day never to threaten divorce when we had a disagreement. (I never said I wouldn’t kill him, though! 😊) Ours is a love story, but also a God-story. How else can I explain that I love this man more today than the day I married him!

Here’s to us, Honey. And, as my daddy used to say, “I wouldn’t trade you for a teddy bear!”

What Is Your Name?

Posted on by under Scripture
Grandpa Seger holding my dad

Your words were found and I ate them, and Your Word was to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of Hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).

From my 2009 Journal. Two thoughts about this verse.

First, I recall the first time I heard the word biblio-idolatry, i.e. the worship of the Bible. This is the person who studies every word, shade of meaning, and explanation (often in the original languages) but never falls in love with the author (The Word Himself). It’s the person who can’t let go of the literal to read in context. Or the one who boasts in the ability to find any verse or quote any passage. They’ve fallen in love with the beauty of the language but neglected to study the Poet. Or, sadly, they quote verses to beat people over the head.

That was not the case with Jeremiah. He had a relationship with the Author of the words, and therefore the words were sweet to him. For example, when my husband says to me, “I love you,” I cherish him and I cherish his words. If an acquaintance whom I don’t particularly care for says “I love you” because I happened to be kind to her, the words do not hold the same impact as someone I love in return. I can thank her politely and then flick the words away. I don’t “eat her words and enjoy their sweetness” like I do when Scott says them.

Thought #2. What does it mean “I am called by your Name”?

My first name Karen is not tied to anyone I know. But each of my other names are connected to a person. Seger is from my father and grandfather. Keegan comes from marrying Scott. Agnes was my grandmother on my dad’s side who died in childbirth. “I am called by my Grandmother’s name” means I’m associated with her. I want to do her proud, just like my Grandpa Seger would say to my dad: “Do me proud.”

What names of God am I associated with?

King                 Princess

Lord                 Indentured servant

Messiah            Saved one

Shepherd          Sheep

Truth-giver       Truth-receiver

Creator             Created

Redeemer         Redeemed one

Master              Slave

Comforter         Comforted one

Counselor         Counselee

God                    Human

Father                Daughter

Prince of Peace Peace-receiver

Holy One          Purified one

Savior               Saved

Vine                  Branches

Door                 Protected one

Way                 Traveler

Life                  Resurrected