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 [...]
The Art Of Relaxation
Good morning... "I wanted to share this lovely article I just received on dolce far niente ... the sweet art of doing nothing," she texted after reading our recent message, The Magic Of Play. "It fits so well with your blog post this morning, Sue." Again, God's perfect timing multiples our joy. ****** Excerpts from The Importance of Doing Nothing: Art of Relaxation by Rachelle Williams A visit to Italy will soon have you embracing [...]
Watch Joy Emerge
Good morning... "In Christ's name we play," my Freudian slip sparking an avalanche of joy. After crafting yesterday's post, The Magic of Play, I watched different forms of play emerge all day. I walked, instead of driving, to the home of a woman new to our Friday class roster, enjoying fresh coffee and conversation. I walk and talked to and from the horse farm with a long-time friend, and together we personalized the [...]
The Magic Of Play
Good morning... "In Christ's name we play," my Freudian slip ended our prayer, ushering us into a magical evening. "Researcher Stuart Brown, MD, describes play as time spent without purpose," Brene Brown stretches her own mind to welcome this new possibility. "To me this sounds like the definition of an anxiety attack. I feel behind if I’m not using every last moment to be productive, whether that means working, cleaning the house or [...]
Should I Be Teaching The Enneagram?
Good morning... After the second week of our Enneagram class, I got an email from a very good friend. "Sue, I thought you might want to read where the Enneagram originated. Also google Sufi. I just wasn’t sure if you knew this. Pray and see if this is something the Lord wants you to be involved with. Love you and will see you soon." After praying as she suggested and reading the link she [...]
Savor Sabbath: Celebrate Life
Good morning... Today is a special day of Sabbath as a good friend lays to rest her beloved mother-in-law at 3:00 pm. Right after last week's post, We Memorize A Mother, she wrote me these God-inspired words. "Hello Sue," she began. "God’s timing in honoring your friend’s Mom surfaced on your blog this morning, greeting us just after we lost our own Mom, Naomi. She was hanging on so long that toward the end [...]
God’s Perfect Timing
Good morning... Last Saturday I shared our post We Memorize A Mother, highlighting for you the gorgeous memorial service for my friend's mother, Caroline Gilham. Soon after our morning message was sent, I exchanged a life-giving string of texts. Now I share them with you. "My friend Marscha died this morning," a close friend wrote to inform me. "Finally, peace. She and her daughter were together to experience it. I am so grateful for [...]
Loved Ones Live On
Good morning... "Hey Sue!" she emailed. "You’ve been on a roll these last two weeks! LOVING all your messages each day! Makes me miss seeing you all the more, but at least I feel close to your heart through your daily sweet words!" She reflected: "I do believe God speaks to us in special ways through nature, through Scripture, through people, through His beautiful creation. I’ll never forget the Lionbacker picnic two years ago, [...]
Love Each Season
Good morning... I was the last parent to leave our first gathering of our youngest child's final high school year. I felt compelled to "close down the bar," "stay for the last round," enjoying every conversation until the very last drop. I was in my car by 9:00 am, driving forward into this special year of "lasts." Returning home to a quiet house, I was embraced by the feeling I loved the most [...]