Open Door #3
Good morning... "Oops, This Page Could Not Be Found!" says the link given at the bottom of blog post #2 for today, You've Got A Friend In Me. Never before have I sent you three messages on one morning, but this is an unusual moment in unsettling times. We are asked to adapt, stretch, and change directions, finding fresh pathways forward together. Technology. On the one hand, we can't live with it. On [...]
You’ve Got A Friend In Me
Good morning... For some, the first version of this morning's message, A Gift From A Grandma, did not come through with audio throughout the whole sweet song. So, I have reworked our message and added a different link to our adorable video. From behind a closed door in another state, one grandmother reached out to send me a YouTube video reminding her of her own grown daughter when she was young. Memories we [...]
A Gift From One Grandma
Good morning... From behind a closed door in another state, one grandmother reached out to send me a YouTube video reminding her of her own grown daughter when she was young. Memories we cherish are always ours to keep, we are "sheltered in place" with a mind that remembers. The lasting memories we love most can keep us good company during these isolating, uncertain times. Do you remember one of Jesus' most encouraging [...]
Behind Our Closed Doors
Good morning... "We are good!" she replied by email. "Definitely have tough days, but who doesn’t?" "I had a mommy meltdown last week," I stepped through her open door of honesty. "I was tired of being primary shopper AND chef (even with four young adults and a kind husband to help). The anxiety of others had snowballed to impact me throughout my day, I picked up more and more and more as I [...]
Freed From Our Fears
Good morning... Just after sending you yesterday's photo of the frigid, frozen Norwegian landscape outside one subscriber's front door, I opened Henri Nouwen's morning message to be greeted by the luxurious photo above. What a gorgeous contrast. Land, white snow versus green grass. Sky, winter grey versus springtime blue. Feeling, chilly cold versus welcoming warmth. God's breathtaking beauty comes in varied, vibrant, visceral forms. Two lines linger from yesterday's message, Our Wider Community. [...]
Our Wider Community
Good morning... "Who can use the term 'gone viral' now without shuddering a little?" begins the intriguing article Margit Steinholt sent me from Norway, alongside the photo above capturing the snowy view from her home. "Who can look at anything any more — a door handle, a cardboard carton, a bag of vegetables — without imagining it swarming with those unseeable, undead, unliving blobs dotted with suction pads waiting to fasten themselves on [...]
One Playful Easter Poem
Good morning... Clever creativity has spread wildly during this time of coronavirus quarantine. This playful poem, forwarded to me by many kind folk, is one of my favorite displays of Jesus' regenerative joy born this Easter morn. ****** How the Virus Stole Easter By Kristi Bothur With a nod to Dr. Seuss ? Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals [...]
Our Curse Is Reversed
Good morning... "This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived" says 1 Peter 2:24-25 in the Message translation. "He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He [...]
More Than Chocolate
Good morning... Many are in habit of "giving something up for Lent," but all of us have unexpectedly given up much more than chocolate for Lent 2020. We have given up NBA basketball, the March Madness tournament, and fantasy sports leagues that offer delightful distraction. We have given up time with friends, big group gatherings, hugs, touches, and natural bonding moments. We have given up proms, graduations, final sports seasons, and a long [...]
Social Distance With Steve
Good morning... It strikes me that many of you do not know my husband, Steve. You have not seen him. You have not heard his voice. You have never been in the same room. So during this time of social distancing, I thought I would share with you, on this memorable Maundy Thursday, the virtual chapel service Steve filmed from our basement to creatively connect with his school community. Utilizing this thought-provoking image of [...]
Beneath Our Food Fetish
Good morning... The following devotional message, written by my husband, arrived in my inbox on the same morning nine of us women from our Monday Bible study group packed two hundred and fifty Super Pack Boxes at the Action Ministries warehouse. Each box was filled with non-perishable goods to help one family of four to supplement their food stamps for eight to ten days. The experiential dichotomy of that day got my attention. [...]
Passing Our Prayers
Good morning... A friend sent me beautiful words shared by her church on Sunday. Instead of the traditional "Passing the Peace" portion of worship, during this season of social distancing her church family is developing a new habit called "Passing Our Prayers." ****** Today's prayer comes from Elizabeth Shows Caffey: Now I say to you in conclusion, life is hard, at times as hard as crucible steel. (Mmm) It has its bleak and [...]