Good morning... Developing resilience helps us to navigate life's tumult. Wars. Grief. Divorce. Addictions. Betrayals. Disappointments. Mass shootings. Mental and physical illness. Political, racial, economic polarization. How do we, ordinary people who are trying to process life's overwhelming experiences, how do we develop lifesaving resilience? I'm not asking a rhetorical question here. Really. Truly. How do we productively [...]
"Good morning," she texted yesterday. "A little tired today," she continued. "Heartbroken for the families and community in Uvalde, Texas. Thinking about people like Steve (my husband, a chaplain) who are there - and everywhere - comforting families and friends reconciling loss, preparing words for services, walking in for visits." "This morning I am deep into Kate Bowler's [...]
Good morning... With last weekend's wedding in Charleston, S.C., my friend and I enjoyed sight-seeing through the southern city. The history of our pain, our progress, and our potential as a nation comes to life on every street. We reverently visited the church where 9 people were killed by a gunman while gathering for Bible study on June [...]
Good morning... Following last week's widely discussed post, We Differ Politically, one loyal subscriber sent me a copy of a speech presented in 1944. Highly respected Judge Learned Hand (1872-1961) shared keen words of wisdom during the "I am an American Day" celebrations. "The fifth paragraph blows me away," our regular reader wrote. Pondering the grounding wisdom, I [...]
Good morning... Her email came in soon after I pushed "send" on yesterday's post, What Are We Becoming? She is a dear friend who has educated herself well about politics over the years. Her political beliefs differ considerably from the political beliefs God is growing in me. I believe that for God's eternal purposes my wise friend and [...]
Good morning... Every spring I love the baccalaureate service hosted on the fertile soil of the Lovett School, a farewell communion ceremony for graduating seniors and their families. As head chaplain, my husband Steve invites a parent to speak who is graduating their last child. This year's meaningful message was given by Lauren Gearon, graceful mother of three [...]
Good morning... I am deeply touched by the bittersweet nature of Mother's Day this year. I feel the sweetness of my mom coming back to life after being on a ventilator in the Ohio ICU. Wow, what a joy to celebrate! I also feel the bitter of old friends, a mom and a grandmother, with whom I am [...]
Good morning... The complex matrix of needs in the life of children today are supported in tangible ways through the teachers within our classrooms. Teaching is often a thankless job, like changing diapers, preparing daily meals, and cleaning endless piles of dirty clothes. School is a second home for many and teachers are passionate pseudo parents to the [...]
Good morning... The joy of this Mother's Day week is already picking up speed. Our artistic friend Corinne Adams is also a dedicated homework helper at PAWkids, the non-profit downtown where several of us are enjoying quality time. Corinne is in the process of photographing all of the twenty kids in the after school enrichment program. Look at [...]
Good morning... "For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross," explains Hebrews 12:2. Part of the joy I believe Jesus envisioned was the fun we had making forty-seven Easter baskets last week for the PAWkids community as well as the joy of the Easter celebration hosted in their new outdoor space. Revisiting the photos now, the [...]
