We Remember Our Own
Good morning... This Memorial Day weekend, my 88 year old dad drove nearly four hours to lay geraniums at the foot of my grandparents' grave. This annual tradition of remembrance was foregone for a few years as my mom's health issues took precedence, but this weekend my sister stayed with my mom and my dad drove on his own to visit the grave of his parents and his grandmother. Later that night, he [...]
Wherever You Are
Good morning... Wherever you are this holiday weekend, at home or away, alone or with others, pause to breathe in God's presence. Wherever you are, God is. However you feel, God cares. Whatever you need, God gives. As we savor the pattern of this unique day, You are the lamp who lights my way (Psalm 18:28a, VOICE). ...Sue... Respond to Sue privately. Sue Browse our [...]
Tommy Died Yesterday
Good morning... "Tommy died yesterday," her text came into our group at 8:02 am. "He has gone to 'green pastures' as Margaret describes." "Thank you for letting us know," I was the first to respond. "What a bittersweet journey. I will keep Margaret and the family tucked in my prayers." Then short responses cascaded into my phone. "He never complained - not even one tiny bit." "All Glory now!" "I've been praying and [...]
Summer Zoom Study
Good morning... Every year, all of our weekly studies for women funnel into one summertime study, hosted on Zoom in June and July. This year, the first book chosen (The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence) was highlighted in one of our books for the spring, Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. On page 41 Comer writes: "The monk who coined the phrase 'the practice of the presence of [...]
Speaking In Flowers
Good morning... "I loved this and thought you would too!" a friend texted me this image at 7:36 am. "God spoke in flowers today, and I, who was looking for words, almost missed the conversation," said the quote from Ingrid Goff-Maidoff. My friend is right, I loved it, a wise way to begin a new day. Then at 7:38 am another text came in. "He just passed." First thing that morning, I had [...]
Tale Of Two Audreys
Good morning... Yesterday I wrote about Eating With Audrey, Audrey DeShetler who has suffered through cancer treatment after cancer treatment, scan after scan, relapse after relapse, hospital stay after hospital stay, for nearly fifteen years. Recently, Audrey has experienced God's divine healing, sensing from Jesus, "Audrey, you are well." "Hi Sue," a faithful friend wrote, "right after I read your devotional this morning, I read the one below which reinforces yours about Audrey🙏🏻♥️" [...]
Eating With Audrey
Good morning... Last Monday, our Fab Five friend group shared lunch with nineteen year old Audrey DeShetler. Audrey's nearly fifteen year cancer journey with neuroblastoma has brought her to a divine healing in recent months. "Audrey, you are well," she sensed during a personal encounter with Jesus. Now she is living into the manifestation of God's miracle. Healing is happening. Small steps are evident. Audrey's ability to yawn has returned. She's walking more [...]
Julie Harlan Smiles
Good morning... Julie Harlan smiles in heaven as she prepares for today's special day. Today, her oldest son Charlie will graduate from The Lovett School with a stadium full of his classmates. When Charlie was ten, his amazing mom died of stomach cancer at age forty-one. It's an honor to remember her bright shining spirit and to revisit Julie's lovely obituary. Julie's legacy continues to influence so many of our lives. Her firm [...]
We Store Up Anxiety
Good morning... When I am left without answers to the anxious questions stirring in my heart, I can totally relate to the words of Psalm 13. How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? (Psalm 13:2a, CSB). For a few freeing moments, the clarifying voice of Alisa Turner helps me to surrender every single jumbled thing. ...Sue... [...]
What’s Wrong With Me?
Good morning... "Sue, the full moon is setting over the water this AM in Cape San Blas," texted my friend yesterday morning. "Not a bad spot to spend the week of work!" Her gorgeous photo made me excited all day, looking forward to seeing the nearly full moon from our back porch tonight. Curious, I stepped out to greet the big ball of light, and instead I experienced this. [...]
A Full Moon Fills Us
Good morning... Beneath tonight's full moon, my mind is filled with prayers for the recovering women safely sleeping at the Ignatius House Retreat Center. I don't know them by name and I will never meet them on earth, but I know they are precious in the sight of our Lord. Recovering from homelessness and addiction, I imagine that some may have lived on the streets, under bridges, on the move. Some may have [...]
Welcome Women In Recovery
Good morning... I spent much of my Mother's Day afternoon assembling and delivering welcome bags for today's ISP (Ignatian Spirituality Project) retreat at the Ignatius House Retreat Center. Now, on this special morning, fifteen women recovering from homelessness and addiction will arrive at the MARTA station and be transported to Ignatius House by kind volunteers. Fifteen of you generously offered to donate items for the bags, bags designed to welcome women into their [...]