How To Grow A Child
Good morning... Still savoring this week's post, To My Surprise, I thought to myself, "Within the first twenty-four hours of life, these baby cardinals felt their own hunger, found their own voice, asked for what they craved, and their red feathered father naturally nurtured their basic needs. If birds can do this, why is it so hard for us-humans?" My question had me digging in our basement of old boxes for colorful strips [...]
What Have We Forgotten?
Good morning... When I woke yesterday, I re-read our life-giving post, To My Surprise. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the photos of the beach, the rainbow, and the nest of baby cardinals being protected and nourished by their father. A few minutes later, I checked out the headline news on my phone, and I was heartbroken by the July 5th interview with Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms (who by the way, a fifty year [...]
To My Surprise
Good morning.. I went out our back gate and strolled down the familiar sidewalk, knowing that if anyone walked my way I would social distance on the other side of the street. No person came near, but a small, peaceful bunny hopped up beside me. I stood watching the calm creature, lifting a prayer for my forever friend who absolutely loves bunnies. After a few still moments, my eyes noticed movement to my [...]
I Am Shut-In
Good morning... "On one level, shut-ins allow ordinary people to approximate the experience of 'cloistering,'" our blog post said the morning I unexpectedly woke with achy symptoms (see our post A Cold Or COVID?). "But on another level, shut-ins focus the attention of the community on tarrying. Although prayers can be as diverse as those who utter them, tarrying implies a waiting expectantly." Over the years, I have enjoyed being bedside with shut-ins. [...]
Freedom On The Fourth
Good morning... "While the Fourth of July, 1776, is the day America declared independence from Great Britain, people of color were not able to celebrate that same freedom," explains a letter I recently received from my spiritual direction training program. "On July 4th, 1852, here is what Frederick Douglass said in his speech The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro: 'What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; [...]
A Cold Or COVID?
Good morning... I woke yesterday congested, with a scratchy throat, possibly a bit of a fever. It is common for me to get a summer cold, out in the heat and back into the air conditioning, swimming in a pool and hanging out with wet hair. Hence the term "common cold." I know what to do when I feel a cold coming on; I take Zicam (zinc) every three hours until the symptoms [...]
Let’s Tarry Together
Good morning... "Tarrying, in the African American Church, is a big deal," she emailed me after yesterday's post, Come Rest, which unpacked the meaning of the word tarry. "This word just happens to be in my reading for today. Very interesting description of what tarrying means within this group." She emailed me a snapshot of a single page from her book. "God’s timing is amazing," I replied. "I have not thought about the [...]
Come Rest
Good morning... "I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses," a song stirs in me after yesterday's post, In Her Rose Garden. "And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." [...]
In Her Rose Garden
Good morning... Our family is caring for a friend's home and dog while their family is away. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting her roses, snapping pictures, marveling at God's intricate beauty. What life lessons have I learned while meandering through her rose garden, and which Bible verses whisper God's truth in my ears, my eyes, and my heart? Different skin colors, on roses and on people, grow together peacefully as [...]
Peace Quietly Blooms
Good morning... Pictured above, I saved this "peace lily plant" years ago when the previous owner was throwing her in the trash. After I tenderly nursed her back to life, she now rests just over the threshold of our front door, bathed in sunlight, welcoming in guests. She has lived in our home for years and years, but never before have I noticed this plant blossoming three white blooms. Until today. So I [...]
Tired Of Waiting?
Good morning... It seems to me, grey is the color of waiting. Not old, not new. Not now, not yet. No agenda, no time frame. No end of the tunnel, no finish line in sight. I think back to my most fertile times of waiting, when new life was gestating inside my womb, out of my sight, expanding me uncomfortably. At least during pregnancy, we are given a tentative due date and books [...]
One Soulful Sketch
Good morning... Her short text included one soulful sketch created by Atlanta artist Danielle Coke. Postive. Powerful. Process-oriented, right? And I will give them one heart [a new heart], and put a new spirit within them. I will take from them the heart of stone, and will give them a heart of flesh [that is responsive to My touch] (Ezekiel 11:19, AMP). In this transformational time in our human history, I sense God [...]