Why Are Some Hollowed Out?
Good morning... I shared with her my retreat insight. I am carved out to carry the light of Christ. Nutshell by nutshell. Day after day. She asked, "Have you ever read the poem entitled Mother Wisdom Speaks?" Since I had not, she emailed it to me later. I savor it now for a second time with you. ****** Mother Wisdom Speaks Some of you I will hollow out. I will make you a [...]
The Real Me In A Nutshell
Good morning... Slowly walking through the woods, I noticed a nutshell. Small. Sliced open. Simply symmetrical. Secreted in our depths is the dawning awareness: The shape of Christ is the design of me. When life slices us open and our "Big I" begins to die, our true self begins to come to life: I am made to mirror the person of Christ. For you died to this life, and your real life is [...]
An Unexpected Gift
Good morning... One week ago today, we began our Zoom study sharing hard news. The son from a family close to many in our community was found dead the day before. As a summer study group, we stopped right away and lifted a deep prayer for the family and friends whose ordinary lives will never be the same. Throughout the week, I have continued to pray for the loved ones of this young [...]
When Worries Exhaust
Good morning... While on weekend retreat at Ignatius House Retreat Center, I happened upon a touching story. ****** Love Does That (by Meister Eckhart) All day long a little burro labors, sometimes with heavy loads on her back and sometimes just with worries about things that bother only burros. And worries, as we know, can be more exhausting than physical labor. Once in a while a kind monk comes to her stable and [...]
Children In A Burning House
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 think about the people who have given us hope and have increased the strength of [...]
This Fertile Father’s Day
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 based on people's love and concern for each other." This morning, I think of the [...]
Simplicity Is About Freedom
Good morning... "You and Richard Rohr are on the same page!" an old friend wrote yesterday after reading our post, My Mind Is Reeling. "I am with you … pondering how to simplify," she admitted, sharing the wise blog below. "I know listening to God more is part of the answer. Xo." ****** June 16: Simplicity Is about Freedom by Richard Rohr (Today Rohr shares the wisdom of Sister José Hobday (1929–2009), who [...]
My Mind Is Reeling
Good morning... My mind is reeling. I cannot sleep. Important needs play tug-o-war. Getting out of bed, I am drawn to an encouragement card: "The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most." I sit and ponder prayerfully, "Lord, what matters most?" What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love (Galatians 5:6, MSG). "Faith expressed in love - focus there." ...Sue... [...]
My Own Civil War
Good morning... Waking groggy from too much of everything, I see in the corner of our room one simplifying symbol. A small mirror, surrounded by a mosaic of heavy, broken pottery, reflects the natural light. A cross of driftwood pieces quietly rests above the mirror. Through the center of my broken parts, might the light of Christ still shine? I drank too much; I feel like crap. I ate too much; I feel [...]
Sit Down. Share Coffee.
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 heart, God's love expands through us. Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. [...]
Our Daily Hope
Good morning... Cuddling into our couch with my first cup of coffee, I pull out the notes I jotted yesterday on the paper ticket ushering me home to Atlanta, Georgia from my parents' place near Cleveland, Ohio. Coming back from my mom's 84th birthday and my parent's 62nd anniversary celebration, I watched a fascinating documentary on the short hour-plus flight. Jane Goodall: The Hope was filmed in 2020 when this "Mother Theresa for [...]
On Their 62nd Anniversary
Good morning... Today is my parents' 62nd wedding anniversary. After dinner at the dining hall last night, I snapped this picture of them as couple #28, front and center, in the wedding photo contest currently being held at their senior living community. When the photo was taken, my mom was twenty-two and my dad was twenty-three, college sweethearts who had just celebrated my mom's graduation from Wittenberg University earlier in the same week. [...]