Sad. Alone. Not Much Fun.
Good morning... "Very timely after reading your blog this morning," she texted after yesterday's post Depression: What NOT To Say. "A friend posted this today on Facebook," she wrote, sharing the story below. ****** It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore. [...]
Depression: What NOT To Say
Good morning... Learning to care for loved ones who are struggling with depression, I deeply value the wisdom shared in chapter four in Parker Palmer's book Let Your Life Speak. On page 61, Parker candidly describes his own experience of being severely depressed in his forties. He helps us to know what NOT to say to our loved ones who feel trapped in their own private pain. "It is odd that some of [...]
How Do We Protect Our Kids?
Good morning... "You're really on a role this week," said the heading of her email. Being "on a role" is different than being "on a roll." I thought about the difference. When we are "on a roll," we effortlessly flow down hill, naturally picking up speed as we go. When we are "on a role," we root ourselves in a calling, we give the gift that is ours to give, we speak into [...]
Slogging Through Depression
Good morning... Yesterday's blog post shared practical tips for slogging through a season of depression. Summarizing Dave's list, these things may be helpful: Shower, hot or cold, as long as you'd like, as often as you need. (I personally prefer a long hot bath to candlelight.) Moisturize everything with your favorite lotion - tactile touch can help so much. Don your favorite pair of underwear and put on clean, comfortable clothes. Drink cold [...]
Thrill of Victory. Agony of Defeat.
Good morning... Well, anyone who follows college football will forgive me for posting late this morning. Congratulations texts after The University of Georgia won the National Championship came flying in around midnight. This morning I was given the unusual gift of sleeping in. When I was a kid we used to watch "The Wide World of Sports" on Sunday nights. "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" was the slogan brought [...]
Hearts On The Pilgrim’s Way
Good morning... "Did you read Wade's devotional from this week?" my husband Steve asked over the weekend. (Wade is the middle school chaplain alongside Steve who is the upper school chaplain.) "His shared a vulnerable and touching story about the challenges he faces with his youngest son." I had seen the devotional come in, but had yet to take time to read it. So in the quiet of the night I experience it [...]
This Morning’s Funeral
Good morning... He was in my youngest daughter's high school graduating class. She's now twenty-two, he, twenty-three. This morning we will go to his funeral at the school where the kids attended and both of his parents have taught for years. As friend, colleague and school chaplain, my husband will officiate while I am quietly present, bearing witness with light-filled eyes. "...the people with light-filled eyes are not frightened by my grief," explains [...]
Sign Up For Spring Classes 2022
Good morning... Anyone who knows me knows that I love hosting classes in our home, semester by semester. Part of the fun for me is being always on the lookout for the next read God will lead us to explore. Usually a hidden gem, I am drawn like a magnet to the book of God's own choosing. This spring semester is no different. Over the years, we have loved studying other treasures written [...]
In Anxious And Fearful Times
Good morning... "Dear Sue," she emailed me yesterday. "I think today was a God moment as I read Henri Nouwen's post Know that You Are Welcome and then moved on to your message, You Are Welcome Here. As we emailed back and forth, I shared that I was also so surprised by the synchronicity of the Spirit. After discerning with God yesterday's post, the Spirit spurred me to push "send" on our message [...]
You Are Welcome Here
Good morning... "Your post about 'Welcoming Spirt' made me think of this song," she texted. "We sing it frequently at church. Anyway, many different versions but, regardless of who sings it, the words are so powerful." When I had a quiet moment I thoroughly enjoyed Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes singing live the song Holy Spirit. Then I went about my day, and I went about another. Now up in the early hours [...]
Changing Old Habits
Good morning... We are all creatures of habit. Left up to our own natural tendencies, we mindlessly repeat old patterns, again and again and again. For us to be guided by Christ's loving, living Spirit, we learn our best way to tangibly surrender ourselves to God's presence and welcome fresh power for the moment at hand. I am reminded of an option called "The Welcoming Prayer," so I google the phrase and the [...]
Welcoming Spirit
Good morning... This eighteen inch wooden Willow Tree woman is the symbol I bought for myself the day I began serving as the Women's Ministry Director at Northside Church in January of 2008. Her name is "Welcoming Spirit," and she silently sits beside me in the wee hours of the night as I craft each blog post. As I stepped into God's invitation fourteen years ago this week, I committed myself to remaining [...]