Sorrow Disappears – Joy Remains
Good morning... As she journeys with her daughter who is battling cancer, I email her encouragement when the Spirit nudges. This morning, I unhook the painting from the wall in our half bathroom, an original painting a friend gave me after we studied Kay Warren’s book Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn't Enough. I turn over this peaceful piece of art to read the taped-on copy of my friend's favorite book quotes. “Joy is the settled [...]
Our Tandem Ride With God
Good morning... She was a year into her cancer battle when she shared a simple, anonymous story, a memorable story of wholehearted living. A TANDEM RIDE WITH GOD I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when [...]
Jesus’ Words Sprout And Reproduce
Good morning... "The facts of everyday life are a rich source for doomsday thinking and feeling," says Henri Nouwen in his 9.19.17 morning message. "But it is possible for us to resist this temptation and to stand with self-confidence in this world, never losing our spiritual ground, always aware that 'sky and earth will pass away' but the words of Jesus will never pass away (see Luke 21:33)." We do not want the sky [...]
Unraveling More
Good morning... Yesterday at 6:11 am, I pressed "send" on my blog message entitled, "Unraveled, We Are Re-woven." At 7:24 am, a subscriber sent me yesterday's words from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. Amplifying the voice of God, her message concludes: "You inhabit a fallen, disjointed world, where things are constantly unraveling around the edges. Only a vibrant relationship with Me can keep you from unraveling too." When is the last time you read the [...]
Unraveled, We Are Re-woven
Good morning... In God's perfect time, her testimonial came in too late to be included with your heartfelt testimonials rotating at the bottom of each of our "Sue To You" website pages. She gave me permission to share her words as a separate blog post, helping us all to better understand the powerful ministry of spiritual direction. "From the moment you emailed me," she wrote, "literally weeks after my husband of 25 years moved [...]
Doing The Hard Thing
Good morning... Guiding wisdom lingers from this week's walk with a friend. "Doing the hard thing now eventually makes life easy. Doing the easy thing now eventually makes life hard." It is easy to do the easy thing. Avoid pain. React impulsively. Lie, cheat, shortcut. Skirt commitment to God, true self, and others. It is hard to do the hard thing. Grieve loss. Resist temptation. Offer life-giving care to those in need. Take time [...]
Really? A Burrito?
Good morning... My own email address was dropped from my "Sue to You" subscription list again. The reason given? "I am no longer interested." Let me assure you, I am still very interested in listening to God with you, morning by morning. Glitches. We all have them. We all hate them. Yet, glitches hold up for us a very important mirror. My mind is filled with the loud voice of an unnamed, unknown woman, a [...]
The Butterfly Near My Neck
Good morning... On my back porch, I ate my lunch in the post-storm sunshine. A butterfly flew around the corner of our home and rested on the table right beside me. Watching me as I watched her, she inched closer and fanned her black wings, spotted with shimmering turquoise and gold. I was amazed as this bold, brave creature jumped from the table onto my t-shirt, walking her way up to nestle near my [...]
Grieve Losses, One By One
Good morning... “I know you lost a beloved tree to Irma,” she kindly wrote in her email. “I hope any other losses are minimal.” Our old, sturdy tree toppled in the high, drenching winds. I never thought of a fallen tree as a key loss until my fingers and my keyboard formed my tender response. “We did lose our Irma-tree. Her midsection and big, leafy branches have been removed by the county, clearing the [...]
It Could Have Been Worse
Good morning... "Hoping high tide doesn't bring the river into our living room," a friend texted from Jacksonville, Florida as Hurricane Irma slammed her state. "Please pray that the water recedes and we don't see the predicted 4-6 foot surge. Thank you." I lifted prayers all day and was grateful for her final message. "Waters came up to the back patio but no flooding - very blessed." I heard through my phone, "It could [...]
The Enduring Truth of 9/11
Good morning... We wake to the rubble of another 9/11. Wet, windy, weepy. Rubble again. Be lifted by Chris Tomlin's 9/11 music video as God rains mercy on us all. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV). Today and every day, let's trust enduring truth: "God's name is great. God's heart is grace." [...]
When The Life We Love Is Ripped Apart
Good morning... Powerful. Widespread. Catastrophic. Explosive words wake the morning news. Loss of power. Devastation closes in. The damage is really just beginning. What do we do when we face the inevitable pain of powerlessness, intense darkness, lights out on the life we love? We open our Bible to experience the promises of Isaiah 58:10-12 expressed in the Message translation. If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, [...]