Cutting More Than Hair
Good morning... "It looks like your Mom and I need to get to Atlanta so we can have our hair cut," my dad texted this weekend from Ohio, joking about the controversial decision by Georgia's governor to reopen some "essential businesses." Hair and nail salons. Tattoo and massage parlors. Restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. Sequestering for several weeks, my own wild hair growth inspired me to google: "How long does donated hair [...]
Be Freed
Good morning... "People are not onions but artichokes!" author Larry Warner reminds our group of Spiritual Directors. "Each layer removed brings us closer to freeing the heart to love and to be loved." ...Sue...
Comfort In Crisis
Good morning... Together we are learning about Ring Theory, concentric circles of support expanding out from each individual (see yesterday's blog post Our Words Matter). During this Covid-19 crisis, we recognize the importance of sending "comfort in" to the front line workers, those in danger, those grieving, and we work our own "grief out" with people in our larger circles of support. It is as if Alicia Keys read about Ring Theory before she [...]
Our Words Matter
Good morning... "I read this article and found it really helpful," she texted, "not just for how to handle people on the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis but for any one in danger or in grief. The final message at the end of the article reminded me of something lovely you would say. I don't know if this might help your readers, but I thought I would send it your way in [...]
Humor Helps
Good morning... "Action Ministries now requires you to bring your own personal mask to wear while packing food boxes," she texted me to help find two more people to serve with her small group of friends. Our family already knew the new face mask rule, having served together on Good Friday morn (see our goofy picture above). I quickly texted back, "My daughter and I would love to join you at Action Ministries on [...]
One Clever Clip
Good morning... As we talked by phone for two full hours, one woman sat outside a local Starbucks in the sacred space of her car, another woman was holed up by herself in her now claustrophobic home, and the other sat in the privacy of a closet, door shut to her overcrowded clan. I listened attentively from the quiet comfort of our cozy bed. "I have to send you this funny quarantine video," [...]
Dive To The Depths
Good morning... My mind returns to a segment of Scripture read to me over the phone by a friend. Sequestered in solidarity, let's read these vibrant verses slowly aloud. You there. Me here. Us bonding together as we begin this new day. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like [...]
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Good morning... As I cleaned out my home office over the weekend, I came across a year-long calendar of quotes from various writers, two inches thick, a bit larger than a 3x5 card. The spiral bound gift, given a long while back, rested open to these words from July 4th. "In the black night, I listened to His voice and I heard Him in a way I never had before. I stopped trying [...]
Dominos Fall Fast
Good morning... "I think we need to cancel the March women's conference," speaker Dr. Cathy Snapp said over the phone. What? What are you talking about? My mind silently reeled. Cancel the "Awake To Wholeness Women's Retreat" we have been planning for over a year? But so many people have invested so many hours. How can we cancel? As I struggled to soak in the personal implications of this new virus, I heard myself [...]
Little And Large
Good morning... Settling in to do Saturday yard work, I discovered the sign above. It magically appeared in our yard overnight, delivered personally, planted by hand, with all good intentions. But, surprisingly, this kind gesture made me sad. Really sad. Like any strong feeling, I took time to process, "God, why does this symbol of academic achievement step directly on my 'sad' nerve?" I'm sad that our son's final high school semester is [...]
One Week Ago
Good morning... One week ago today, my husband and I sat on our back porch watching online the celebration of life service for a fifteen-and-a-half year old who died unexpectedly. Being ministry friends with his dad, our hearts broke for this faithful family and their many friends on that solemn Holy Saturday, before the resurrection power of Easter morning rose again like the sun. I have been praying all week for the multitude of [...]
What Is Being Born?
Good morning... "I'm up praying for you and yours," I texted in the middle of the night. "Any new baby news?" God had stirred me awake to pray for a friend whose grand baby was due any day. "Good morn!" came her return text at 8:58 am. "She was born yesterday and all went well. I have been taking care of her sister, so I'm just slow getting out this wonderful news. She's [...]