Santa, Steve, And Savior
Good morning... Many of you in our online community have enjoyed the chapel services created by my husband, Steve, who is the chaplain at a local high school. Usually the Upper School students cram into a packed chapel and experience a weekly service in person, but COVID has limited large gatherings indoors. Instead Steve records his weekly faith messages online, and the kids and teachers watch and discuss them together in their advisory [...]
Pain Is Never Wasted
Good morning... I didn't say a thing aloud, but my heart was crying out to God, shedding quiet tears, sharing the anguished lament of loved ones, hoping with all my heart, soul, and mind for the complete healing of a young woman about to undergo surgery for brain cancer. She and her young husband were separated in different places in the same strange city due to COVID restrictions, states away from their Atlanta [...]
What Gets You Out Of Bed?
Good morning... Over Thanksgiving our oldest son said, "Mom, I'm reading this book I think you'd really like." So I opened the beautifully textured hard cover and cozied up to read a few chapters. Here is one quote that taught me more deeply why Jesus coming to earth matters profoundly. The living presence of our loving Lord might be the only thing getting us out of bed on hard, heavy mornings. ****** Excerpt [...]
I Am A Sausage-Maker?
Good morning... The Spirit's synchronicity astounds me. Many, many of us related to yesterday's post My Inner Critic. It seems I'm not the only one prone to critical comparison, sometimes judging myself as less, unworthy, unimportant. But look at the text I received after yesterday's blog. "Hey dear friend," she wrote from another town. "I thought your posting today was as usual....perfect......look at my daily reading from Eileen Caddy today......the synchronicity is really [...]
My Inner Critic
Good morning... "Thought this was rather lovely," she texted me yesterday morning. "Wanted to share it with you." I touched on the link below and thoroughly enjoyed the captivating experience. Cozy candles. Meditative music. Soothing scripture. At the same time, I noticed my inner critic rising up with a vengeance, "Why do you even do a measly morning blog if these amazing devotional experiences already exist?" Isn't that what happens to us? We [...]
Our First Snow
Good morning... "First snow day of the season!" my sister texted the picture above from her small town in Ohio. As kids growing up in a suburb of Cleveland, we absolutely loved snow days off from school. "Oh how gorgeous," I replied. "We had minuscule specks of snow blowing in the air yesterday. Your beautiful snow photo provides quiet encouragement, 'Hibernate, dear ones, hibernate.' It feels like we are heading into an extra [...]
Steve Reflects
Good morning... "It’s Advent, which usually means a season of hope," my husband wrote yesterday in his chaplain message for Lovett School subscribers. "Unfortunately, this has been a tough year for hope. It’s been difficult to feel the certainty of a better future when 2020 seems to be stuck in a pattern of bad news followed by more bad news; a sea of cancellations, rising positive Covid tests, masks, limited social interaction, loss [...]
Why Do We Stare?
Good morning... I hold in one hand our newest nativity, brought home for a dollar from last weekend's yard sale. The intimacy surprises me. Animals and humans, angel and baby, each handcrafted clay figure rests securely on the open palms of the Almighty Creator. What is the one thing this small nativity has in common with all other nativities? The ones pulled from a box in the basement or attic. The ones blown [...]
Serenity In The Center
Good morning... Most of the art around our home was created by people I know and love. Corrine Adams creations. Sally Mitchell originals. Photography by Jo Reeves and Karey Walter. Steve Penley, who bought and is now selling our old home. Paintings by Gina MacFarland, our SueToYou.com website designer. Creative expressions of our kids and family photos from over the years. As art surrounds, meaningful connection abounds. Our newest piece of art came [...]
Broken And Bonded
Good morning... I found this unique cross at Goodwill years back. It hangs on our bedroom wall, reminding me that our broken pieces are mended mysteriously by the grace of God. I have pointy pieces, shattered shards, childhood chips. So does everyone I love and everyone I sometimes hate. The question for each of us becomes, "How might I allow the cross of Christ to cement in me a new kind of beauty?" [...]
Making A Mosaic
Good morning... I woke on Thanksgiving morn with this inspiring meditation blessing my inbox. Community Makes God Visible by Henri Nouwen, November 27th, 2020 Nothing is sweet or easy about community. Community is a fellowship of people who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other as a gesture of hope. In community we say: “Life is full of gains and losses, joys and sorrows, ups and [...]
Snuggle In Grateful
Good morning... Hemmed in and held close by the God who adores us, may we grow grateful for each tiny, trusted blessing snuggling into us today. As this music video below begins, think with me, "If I pulled up a chair and sat down beside this small, seasoned woman, what words might I write down as I celebrate this day?" Therefore, let us all be thankful that we are a part of an [...]