Good morning... One reason I love to go to the Ignatius House Retreat Center is to browse their library of soulful books. The last morning of our retreat, I sat in my soft borrowed bed and flipped through pages of books I considered purchasing. One of these was Thirst, a book of Mary Oliver poems. As I played [...]
Good morning... "Sue, I loved this daily devotional," she wrote after yesterday's post Fun Family Photos. "I'm one of five children and can so relate. Family trips are some of the best learning ground. I am printing out the paragraphs below to pin up on my fridge -- maybe for the whole summer. So important to remember. Thank [...]
Good morning... My friend shared breathtaking photos from Bryce Canyon National Park in yesterday's blog, Taught By A Tree. Inspired by our post, I walked downstairs and took off the wall a photo collage of our family during our pop up camper days. I snapped a few pictures of some of my favorite photos. Our long trips out [...]
Good morning... "As of today you are not required to wear a mask," the friendly woman said as she checked me into the two-night retreat entitled "Caring For The Whole Person." How amazing to return to the holy grounds of the Ignatius House Retreat Center for the first time since the worldwide pandemic began. Silent. Yoga. Retreat. What [...]
Good morning... Strolling our dog down a very familiar street, a breeze picked up and this beautiful blossom floated down at my feet. I stopped and marveled at the exquisite design. Right before my eyes, this fragile flower had just switched from the process of living fully to the process of dying quietly. In one instant, one moment, [...]
Good morning... My spiritual director opens our phone conversation with a sacred reading each month. Through her surrendered spirit, God channels life-giving words. This month's poem woke up my wonder. ****** TRILLIUMS by Mary Oliver 'Every spring among the ambiguities of childhood the hillsides grew white with the wild trilliums. I believed in the world. Oh, I wanted [...]
Good morning... As I was sipping on coffee and writing our devotional message this morning, our twenty-six year old son came downstairs and climbed into our king-sized bed beside me and our dogs. With his acting up car still sitting at the mechanic's shop nearby, he unexpectedly spent the night at home. A few minutes later, coming upstairs [...]
Good morning... Day after day, we pour out to God the deepest desires of our heart. In response, I have heard it said, "God answers, 'Yes.' 'No.' or 'Wait.'" I have always thought God gives us a "Yes," and a pathway forward opens effortlessly before us. At other times God gives us a "No," and a door is [...]
Good morning... Sometimes we feel lost alone beneath our many layers. Even forming an honest prayer can feel really, really hard. For those moments of chaotic complexity, I just met a revealing poem. Over the phone, a friend read aloud these powerful words so that I could understand more clearly her personal struggle. I can relate to the [...]
Good morning... I was inspired by the nine minute talk shared in our blog post yesterday, Doing Hard And Holy Work. Encouraged by twenty-five year old Atlantan, Danielle Coke, I treasure-hunted for the poem she shared at the end of her vulnerable presentation. This young artist and activist offers a creative, colorful invitation into our humble, daily walk [...]
