Good morning... Two Saturdays ago, I received an unexpected phone call. "Sue, God laid you on my heart this morning," said LaTonya Gates, founder and director of PAWkids. "I am opening my guest room to a woman who is leaving a domestic violence situation. She needs a safe space to clear her head and make some important decisions. [...]
Good morning... This week I learned a fascinating fact. The biggest booster of dopamine, our brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter, is community. Life-giving relationships boost our spirits more than a brisk walk, a great meal or an awesome glass of wine! No wonder we can’t wait to return to our weekly classes offered through Northside Church. Every semester, I am [...]
Good morning... "I'm going to Ukraine on the 29th," said LaTonya Gates, founder and director of PAWkids, as we sat together yesterday. "I'm excited about serving outside of our community. This 'Crates for Ukraine' project reaches so far outside of Grove Park to help people in great need." "What can we do to best support you?" I asked. [...]
Good morning... My parents in Ohio donated $25 to PAWkids (a non-profit in downtown Atlanta) in honor of 3-year-old Ludvig, who is battling cancer in Oslo, Norway. Wow, what an opening sentence - Ohio, Georgia, Norway. Look at God's creative web of connectivity! This seed money became a magnet for the generosity of many and, through individual donations [...]
Good morning... "Sue," he wrote, "while you’re probably familiar with these comforting words of Francis de Sales, your message, Too Much Suffering, brought them to mind. 'Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. God will either shield you from [...]
Good morning... Opening the mail yesterday, I received a letter from my dad. As promised, he sent me a check from Ohio to support PAWkids, the non-profit ministry in inner city Atlanta with which I am actively involved. He sent a donation in honor of the three year old grandson of the Norwegian exchange student who stayed with [...]
Good morning... What does freedom really look like on this complex fourth of July? In the Message translation, 1 Peter 2:16-17 simplifies our answer. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. Now my thoughts are drawn back to our [...]
Good morning... This week I had the privilege of meeting with both the founder and the current director of Grove Park Renewal, a non-profit which supports the need for affordable housing in downtown Atlanta. After an energizing conversation about important possibilities, one of the men handed out copies of a blog post he had read that morning. Now [...]
Good morning... "I just read this devotional and it makes me think of our relationship," I wrote to LaTonya Gates, founder and director of PAWkids, and her compassionate daughter, Larenzia. "So much growth, so much God." I forwarded to them the challenging wisdom below. ****** DAILY MEDITATION | JUNE 18, 2022 - Henri Nouwen Compassionate Solidarity When we [...]
Good morning... Heading into this fertile Father's Day weekend, which includes celebrating the freedom gained on Juneteenth, we simplify down to the abundant gifts of God. We choose open and generous living rather than secure, selfish, sheltered. Like the cover of the PAWkids photo book above reminds: "For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be [...]
