One Dreamy Photo
Good morning... As I wake on our thirty-fourth wedding anniversary, I am drawn to a quirky picture hanging on our wall. Several months back I found this framed photo on a shelf at Goodwill. I brought her home, hung her upside down, and dumped out all of the dreams this image evokes. These playful children make me think of our four kids, who over the years have shared the art of making their [...]
Lean On Me
Good morning... There are a variety of ways to impact the world. Music is one of them. Last weekend I was introduced to a music video created by Playing For Change. Researching a bit, I discovered this quote: "Playing For Change is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Our [...]
Hopes For Today
Good morning... Texting is a glorious addition to the everyday life of our family of six. Fewer missed calls to return. Less long, drawn out phone conversation to awkwardly end. No forceful expectations, "Get back to me now." Texting mutually beneficial times to talk creates greater bonding. Our ongoing string of texts allows a gentle touch, giving space and time for a genuine response. Our group family text feels like playfully skipping stones [...]
Give Off Gladness
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 among the pages, I was drawn to this poem first. ****** WHEN I AM AMONG [...]
We’re Drawn Down Stream
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 you. 💟 ...we are always traveling through valley times and mountaintop experiences in our ordinary [...]
Fun Family Photos
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 west formed many of the sturdy roots beneath our family tree. Now, as an empty-nester, [...]
Taught By A Tree
Good morning... A longtime friend responded instantly to the photo in yesterday's blog post, Hanging Up My Mask. For years our families lived in the same Vinings, Georgia neighborhood, her kids babysat our kids, and she is one of the committed people who completed our entire Gift from the Sea study last fall. Her email made me smile and helped me to remember back to a cherished phase in the life of our [...]
Hanging Up My Mask
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 a sacred space to unmask myself, to breathe unhindered God's fresh air. Settling into a [...]
The Discomfort Of Rebirth
Good morning... As we enjoyed our current favorite show from the comfort of our bed, one sentence in a commercial caught my attention. I grabbed a pen and a box of Christmas matches still lingering on my dresser, and I jotted down the five words piquing my interest. "Everything is birthed through discomfort." These words are too important to forget. Having experienced four miscarriages and four natural childbirths, I remember well the dreaded [...]
Book Studies This Summer
Good morning... As our immediate family celebrated the college graduation of our third child last night, it is a perfect morning to feed our ongoing needs as lifelong learners. Privately reading books and collaboratively discussing them is a great way to continue our spiritual education as followers of Christ. For the past few weeks, the following announcement has appeared in our Northside Church bulletin. Today I feel privileged to share it with you. [...]
Why Are You Here?
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, I witnessed the mysterious movement of God's gentle Spirit. Then I thought of a short [...]
Our Wheel Of Emotions
Good morning... Many of you have written to ask more about the EMOTION WHEEL talked about in yesterday's blog post, Treasure Each Tuesday. So, I went on a treasure hunt to find a copy of a similar image for our written word community, and viola! Here it is. Take a moment to look over the emotions detailed above. What do you notice yourself noticing? I find this diagram incredibly helpful. Regardless of our [...]