Living Unafraid
Good morning... On Sunday, we began this 4th of July week with my husband Steve preaching at the little Log Cabin Community Church, just around the corner from our home. What are the two things I remember most about the welcoming, down-to-earth service? First, the worship leader, she quietly prayed for "the vulnerable and the voiceless." So many in our world embody these two words right now. Second, in his captivating sermon Steve [...]
Tate Still Teaches
Good morning... Our nine year old dog went to heaven recently, and what I learned from our choice to release Tate's spirit from her cancer-filled body helped me this week. A friend called, distraught. Their ten year old dog had inoperable tumors growing in his liver. He would happily walk their five mile route, then he would suddenly crash when a tumor would rupture. He would muster his strength again, then he would [...]
Become A Beacon
Good morning... On Saturday morning, I received an email describing how each of us might become a beacon of hope in our Atlanta community. LaTonya Gates, the Founder and Director of PAWkids, reached out to me with this opportunity. ***** Hey Fam 💛 I need y’all in a big way. PAWKids has been given an incredible opportunity to win a $30,000 grant from Same House—but we need your help to make it happen! [...]
We Fall On Our Face
Good morning... Supporting the preaching series of our senior pastor, I crafted a devotional message to be sent to our Northside Church family today. As we fall on our face into God's grace, what might we learn? ******* In Dr. Bill’s summertime series, Rated M for Mature, we find our way to the most life-altering chapter of all. Genesis 3. Temptation. Original sin. The fall. We all know the setting. The glorious Garden [...]
Stop Seeking. Find.
Good morning... All human effort dissolves into this Anthony de Mello story. When I applied myself to the study of wisdom and reflected on the kinds of tasks that occupy people’s attention on earth, I noticed how little sleep they generally get, whether day or night. I saw all the works and ways of God, and it became clear to me that no one is able to grasp fully this mystery called life (Ecclesiastes [...]
Elizabeth’s Love
Good morning... Month after month, day by day, our written word community prayed diligently for Elizabeth, a creative mom of three, an incredible wife, and a kind friend to so many. One year ago today, Elizabeth's cancer journey invited her into her heavenly home. Revisiting her beautiful obituary helps us to remember Elizabeth's vibrant life and her bottomless love. Prayers continue for all who deeply miss her life-giving presence on earth. Clothed in [...]
Creativity Bonds Us
Good morning... Snapping this interesting photo on our hike yesterday, I thought "Creativity bonds us." Then, I thought back on an email I received earlier in the morning. "Hi," wrote a friend. "I enjoyed the video about the 87 year old woman who composed a piano piece while grieving the loss of her husband. Before opening your message this morning, I was reading The Hidden Life, Awakened, and the following words jumped out [...]
Composing A Dream
Good morning... After her husband dies, 87 year old Diana composes a new dream. May He grant the dreams of your heart and see your plans through to the end (Psalm 20:4, VOICE). ...Sue...
Emotions Unravel
Good morning... I send the photo above to my friend in Atlanta, exchanging a string of texts with these loving thoughts. Me: I wake this morning in the nest of the upper floor of my friend’s old home in Connecticut. Jayne is a soulmate from my graduate school days at UConn. This image greets me as I walk out in the hall. Sometimes life is so unraveling. No dressing up the pain you [...]
Life Feels Crooked
Good morning... "When life feels crooked, I guess there is strength in leaning into old habits," I texted my friend. "Lifting prayers in the Northside Church prayer chapel, a thin space connecting earth and heaven. Sending you divine love to bridge every gap." I lit a single candle, praying for those who are grieving, those who are scared, those who are lost, those who are hurting, those who are tired, those who are [...]
This Poem Helped Me
Good morning... I have been texting with a friend who is making a very hard decision. "I woke up thinking about Tate," she wrote. "And the unwanted space in your house. I am so sorry, Sue. I haven't called because we are heartsick and stomach sick. I feel God is guiding us to memory care. We are crying out to God in the awful angst of feeling there is no good decision. We [...]
Dear Loved One
Good morning... "I thought of you and Audrey’s family when I read this and just wanted to share," an old friend wrote. Received in the midst of a challenging week, God's timing was perfect. ******* Dear Loved One by Sean of the South, June 18th This is weird. I realize this. But I wanted to write to you, dear loved one. Namely, because I’ve been dead for some time now. And the way [...]