Cook Up Compassion
Good morning... Reluctantly, yesterday late afternoon, I canceled my flight to Jacksonville, Florida. Hurricane Dorian lies angrily in wait, dangerously daunting. For months I have looked forward to nestling into deep conversation with author of The Hidden Life Awakened, Kitty Crenshaw, and talking over lunch with our 93-year-old friend, Christian mystic Betty Skinner. On Sunday, I got word that Betty and the other residents in her Ponte Vedra Beach nursing home were being [...]
We Each Play Our Part
Good morning... This Labor Day, we face hurricane horror, we grieve devastating loss, and we pray for God's endless love to bridge every gap living between us. My husband's chaplain message from last Monday came at a good time, as we all ask ourselves, "What part can I play in God's healing work in our hurting world?" Considering the needs in our hearts and our homes, within each friend and each stranger, we do [...]
Savor Sabbath: Labor Less
Good morning... As God's higher ways take hold of our lives, we labor less as God lavishly loves. Savoring this Sabbath, allow the Spirit of our living LORD to draw you back to the deep wisdom bonding us this week. Touch the button below to review our past posts. One hand full of rest and patience is better than two fists full of labor and chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 4:6, AMP). ...Sue... [...]
Nothing Can Separate Us
Good morning... When tragedy steals life, I feel drawn to lean in, to reach out, to lift prayers, so I emailed an old friend whose son goes to The University of South Carolina. Over our string of emails, these phrases stood out. She wrote, "Sadly it’s true." "It’s been a difficult and devastating week for the boys...a lot to handle, to think twice." "He was so close to them." "They will be traveling [...]
Making Peace With Suicide
Good morning... I woke to her email, short and deep. I wrote her right back, deep and long. Somehow God ministered to both of us as we unpacked our pain. Sharing just my private response, I invite you into our intimate expression. ****** Personal Email from Sue Allen - August 30th, 2019 Another suicide? Yes, it is completely heartbreaking. I know this truth touches your own raw, open wounds. Not enough time has [...]
Another Suicide?
Good morning... "Sweet Sue," a mom wrote to me yesterday. "While I absolutely related to yesterday’s post very well, today’s title got me right in the gut. I really didn’t have to read anymore. Your timing. God’s timing. My son was in the Greek Village yesterday at the University of South Carolina when the student who took his life was discovered, who was a friend of his. The university quickly started posting the [...]
We Are Not Alone
Good morning... Well, I guess I am not the only person prone to "dragging one's feet." Receiving many responses to yesterday's post, I Am Dragging My Feet, I saw your tender words of wisdom settling into three categories. Some of you looked back, reminiscing, remembering. "Sue, I just wanted to say how fortunate I felt to be included in your Sr. Mom studies. It was such a special time and a difficult one, [...]
I Am Dragging My Feet
Good morning... drag one's feet (idiomatic) To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly. I have been dragging my feet about filing my taxes. (idiomatic) To intentionally stall, to delay, to obstruct. (delay, stall): slow-walk, dilly-dally I google the phrase "drag one's feet" on Wiktionary.org, since for a few week now I have noticed myself doing just that. I am procrastinating and putting off, delaying and dawdling. But [...]
One Class Leads To Many
Good morning... It is bittersweet for me to help craft words for the final email sent out to our August Enneagram class. Included here are the notes from last week's teaching, the focus for this week's lesson, and a link to register for fall classes at Northside Church, which begin the week of September 9th. What a joy it has been to learn with a room full of wide-eyed, wonderful women. Please join [...]
Savor Sabbath: God’s Quiet Cadence
Good morning... I enjoyed a Friday night movie with a friend, "The Art of Racing in the Rain." A beloved quote came to mind as I watched Enzo, the dog, resting his sweet head and big eyes on the chest of his family members. Often his dad. Lovingly his mom. Playfully his sister. This quote came to mind from page 217 of When Breath Becomes Air. "At home in bed a few weeks before he [...]
Here’s The Secret
Good morning... Following yesterday's post, The Sound Of Too Much, our online community explores today the complexity of "cadence." "Hi, Sue," wrote a man I admire deeply. "Your wonderful message today reminded me of the delightful Spanish proverb I carry in my wallet: 'How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterwards.' Love and blessings." Another avid learner wrote: "Sue, I love this and it is TIMELY. My sister was in town [...]
The Sound Of Too Much
Good morning... "Klunk." "Klunk." "Klunk." Does your washer also shout when you cram in way too much? "Contrary to what you might think, being too busy can be counterproductive," writes Rachelle Williams in the article I highlighted for you in yesterday's post, The Art Of Relaxation. "Think of a washing machine that is crammed with too many clothes. Not much actual washing takes place because there is not enough space to move and [...]