One Sagging Santa
Good morning... I was driving around in December's hustle, rushing to here before dashing to there. "Of course, there's a train," I texted the photo above to the person forced to wait as I was running late. A line of red taillights. Stopped by a standstill. Traffic mounting along with my anxiety, my frustration, my anger at myself. If I had been in my peaceful mind, I may have enjoyed the slow down, [...]
Finding Calm In The Crazy
Good morning... The winds of December are already blowing wildly, and it is only day number three. Excess. Expectations. Extras galore. How much of this crazy do I bring on myself, speeding, scattering, struggling to do it all? Today is the last day of our semester's class and, for the life of me, I cannot find my book. I intended to share with you a final quote from Haley Ruth Barton's Sacred Rhythms: [...]
Our Holiday Market
Good morning... Over Thanksgiving break we were up before anyone else in our family, so my oldest daughter and I enjoyed coffee and a great conversation. I asked her, "So what new thing is God teaching you right now?" Since she has left her job as a medical assistant and is now meeting with people who are interested in supporting her with prayers and with funds as she responds to God's call into [...]
First On The 1st
Good morning... I have never cut from the yard fresh greens and red berries to decorate a Christmas wreathe from scratch. At age 58, I savor this first. On Monday my dear friend invited me to come to her basement, and together we collaborated to create fresh, homemade beauty. What fun! Our selfie turned out goofy, but our front door feels fantastic, festive. This [...]
Gratitude Multiplies
Good morning... Along with sharing Henri Nouwen's words of wisdom, the Henri Nouwen Society has been counting down to this day: GivingTuesday. In researching the concept, I learn from Wikipedia that "GivingTuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism, is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a 'global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world'." [...]
We Need A Rest
Good morning... Okay, so you know I tried a new thing yesterday. I did not write a blog post, on purpose. It was Sunday, the very first day I intentionally practiced the art of Sabbath-keeping, setting apart the seventh day of the week as a day of rest, honoring the sacred rhythm set forth by God at the beginning of creation. Six days of work. One day of rest. God's design for abundant [...]
Rest A While
Good morning... Though I love writing with God most every day, I sense the LORD teaching me the art of Sabbath-keeping. I have told you before, I like taking a break from writing our blog posts on rare, random mornings when I feel drawn not to write. But even this one simple statement is very revealing. There are three "I's" in one sentence. "I have told you..." "...I like taking a break..." "...when [...]
Our Widening Welcome
Good morning... At our annual Turkey Bowl, the welcome is wide, the laughter is contagious and the score always ends in a tie. Returning home to cook turkey and fixin's, I received an email responding to our Thanksgiving blog post. Early in the morning, as a written word community, we had experienced this prayer, a prayer written by Brian D. McLaren. Jesus of the table, You gathered unexpected people around hearths of hospitality. [...]
Three Photos And A Prayer
Good morning... From a centered place of comfort, before any family members stir awake, I revisit three cell phone photos and a soulful prayer. Connecting these diverse dots from this unique week, I capture a glimpse of God's love growing among us. The first photo, a hammock resting on an autumn afternoon, breathes peace within our soul. We are prompted to slow down, to sit a while, to join the joy of nature [...]
When I Contaminate And Clog
Good morning... Sometimes I reflect the love of God clearly, kindly, calmly. At other times, when life's residue piles up, I contaminate and clog. I open Biblegateway.com right now, and the "verse of the day" feels like God's answer to my daily dilemma. My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. [...]
A Hard And Hurtful Talk
Good morning... "Can you pray for me?" she texted. "I talked to her kindly from my heart, but she did not take it well. She's not talking to me. She said she can't say anything right now. I know I have to give her space but it's hard, because I love and care about her. All I can do is trust that the Spirit was moving in me while I spoke to her [...]
Forgotten In The Rush
Good morning... "Sue," she emailed me after yesterday's message, Pause And Restore. "Thank you for your post today! As someone who too often equates productivity with value, it’s hard for me to rest. I focus on my never ending to do lists and all of the things I should be doing. It’s nice to be given 'permission' to rest. It’s refreshing to think of sabbath not just as a time for church and [...]