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 [...]
Good morning... "If you don't sit down, share a cup of coffee and talk with people," said Jane Goodall in her documentary The Hope, "can you ever expect them to change? It's no good arguing. You have got to reach their heart." The beauty is when we reach their heart, our own heart is also changed. Heart to [...]
"Good morning," she texted after yesterday's post When We Are Weak And Weary, a post highlighting the soulful symphony of birds and the positive benefits of regularly taking at least seventeen seconds to focus on something soothing, something beautiful, something life-giving. "We are on the same wavelength," my friend wrote, "I recorded this cell phone video on Saturday! [...]
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 [...]
