Caregiving For A Loved One
Good morning... One of my closest friends sent a loving email for Easter, processing the last six years of caring for her husband with Alzheimer's. She has loved him so well, beyond his last earthly moments, gently ushering him to heaven this spring. She gave me permission to share her reflection with our written word community, as our experience of Easter takes on shades of new meaning. ****** What’s So Good About Good [...]
Christ Lives In Us
Happy Easter, dear friends! Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ now lives in us. And my present life is not that of the old “I”, but the living Christ within me (Galatians 2:20a, PHILLIPS). ...Sue... Respond to Sue privately. Sue Browse our website. suetoyou.com Enjoy our free daily posts? Gratitude Gift Consider giving a Gratitude Gift. [...]
Betrayal Is A Blessing
Good morning... Okay, so Jesus and I are not the only ones who have experienced the cosmic sting of betrayal. I wrote the final line of yesterday's post, She Doesn't Like You, Sue. Then I climbed back into bed for my second sleep. By the time I woke again, my electronics were filled with stories shared from others who relate to the experience of feeling betrayed by a friend. I ended our post [...]
She Doesn’t Like You, Sue
Good morning... "I hate to be the one to tell you, but she really doesn't like you, Sue," one friend said to me about a person I actually considered an important friend. "She's talking badly about you," another woman said at a different time and place. Of all of the mixed emotions I have wrestled with this Lenten season, one of the hardest things for me to process has been feeling abruptly turned [...]
Feed Both Wolves
Good morning... I woke to an email sharing one of my favorite poems. ****** "The Guest House" by Rumi This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may [...]
Two Wolves Inside
Good morning... As we drove home from a wonderful wedding weekend, Steve and I listened to a podcast which included a story about two wolves. Later, I researched the Native American tale. I invite you to take three minutes to enjoy the retelling of the first version I uncovered. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is [...]
Facing Our Darkest Hour
Good morning... Palm Sunday began in the light of a plump full moon. Celebratory. Hopeful. Hallelujah. As we walk our way through this Holy Week, moonlight quietly wanes away. As darkness blankets the outside world, lingering light seeps inside our walls. Before resurrection power rises up in us, we all must face our darkest hour. "As I look into the long, deep, dark cave [...]
Gulp Down The Beauty
Good morning... "Our hands imbibe like roots," says St. Francis of Assisi, "so I place them on what is beautiful in this world. And I fold them in prayer, and they draw from the heaven's light." Imbibe. I love this wildly thirsty word. 1. To drink; gulp down. 2. To absorb; soak up. 3. To receive into the mind; assimilate. 4. To permeate; saturate. For one week each year, our bushes out front [...]
It’s Time To Trust
Good morning... One morning meditation draws us into intimacy with God. When we feel overwhelmed by life, it is time to deeply trust. ****** A Simple Act Of Trust by Henri Nouwen O Lord, all you ask of me is a simple “yes,” a simple act of trust, so that your choices for me can bear fruit in my life. I do not want you to pass me by. I do not want [...]
Lights Will Guide You Home
Good morning... I happened upon a unique rendition of the song "I Will Fix You" by Coldplay. Might we imagine God singing these lyrics to us, as we are lost, found, and led home by the light? ****** "Fix You" - lyrics by writers Jonathan Mark Buckland, Christopher Anthony John Martin, William Champion, Guy Rupert Berryman When you try your best, but you don't succeed When you get what you want, but not [...]
A River Running Home
Good morning... "Your life was like a river running home," sings the most moving line from Slater Nalley's original song, "Traces of You." This dynamic expression of endless love reminds me of the poem I just sent to my friend, a dear friend who buried her 23 year old son last month. "Good morning," I texted. "I think of you as I read this poem from a beautiful book entitled The Cure for [...]
Slater Traces Our Tears
Good morning... My husband Steve and I have been watching American Idol together this season, since one of his students from The Lovett School was just chosen by the judges as one of the top twenty-four contestants. These diversely talented singers will now begin vying for votes from viewers, seeking to become the next American Idol. In his audition, Slater Nalley shared an emotional performance dedicated to the son of beloved Lovett teacher, [...]