Good morning... As the effects of this pandemic persist, I am hitting a wall within myself: Is what I am doing enough? How can I better bridge the gap between haves and have nots? What are my prayers really doing? How do I make an impact in people's lives when I can't see them, I can't hug them, [...]
Good morning... "As terrific as chemo was on my body (and soul)," she wrote to me after yesterday's post, "losing my hair was an indescribable blow. I felt diminished, even invisible, and it was difficult to face myself in a mirror. Wigs, scarves, and hats felt fake and uncomfortable. I am sure that this huge ego recheck was [...]
Good morning... "It looks like your Mom and I need to get to Atlanta so we can have our hair cut," my dad texted this weekend from Ohio, joking about the controversial decision by Georgia's governor to reopen some "essential businesses." Hair and nail salons. Tattoo and massage parlors. Restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. Sequestering for several [...]
Good morning... My mind returns to a segment of Scripture read to me over the phone by a friend. Sequestered in solidarity, let's read these vibrant verses slowly aloud. You there. Me here. Us bonding together as we begin this new day. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t [...]
Good morning... "I think we need to cancel the March women's conference," speaker Dr. Cathy Snapp said over the phone. What? What are you talking about? My mind silently reeled. Cancel the "Awake To Wholeness Women's Retreat" we have been planning for over a year? But so many people have invested so many hours. How can we cancel? As [...]
Good morning... Settling in to do Saturday yard work, I discovered the sign above. It magically appeared in our yard overnight, delivered personally, planted by hand, with all good intentions. But, surprisingly, this kind gesture made me sad. Really sad. Like any strong feeling, I took time to process, "God, why does this symbol of academic achievement step [...]
Good morning... Just after sending you yesterday's photo of the frigid, frozen Norwegian landscape outside one subscriber's front door, I opened Henri Nouwen's morning message to be greeted by the luxurious photo above. What a gorgeous contrast. Land, white snow versus green grass. Sky, winter grey versus springtime blue. Feeling, chilly cold versus welcoming warmth. God's breathtaking beauty [...]
Good morning... Many are in habit of "giving something up for Lent," but all of us have unexpectedly given up much more than chocolate for Lent 2020. We have given up NBA basketball, the March Madness tournament, and fantasy sports leagues that offer delightful distraction. We have given up time with friends, big group gatherings, hugs, touches, and [...]
Good morning... I remember a poem read at the funeral of a dear friend who died of cancer. I search for it, I find it, and I adapt it to meet the deep need spreading across our globe today. ****** An adaptation of "What Cancer Cannot Do" by Dr. Robert L. Lynn Coronavirus is so limited... It cannot [...]
Good morning... With the Coronavirus changing life so rapidly, last Friday morning I didn't know if women would want to gather in our living room to discuss chapters 9 and 10 in The Hidden Life Awakened. So I sent out an email polling people's opinions about meeting for our weekly class. A few women were nursing a cold [...]
