Coping In Our World
Good morning... After our life-giving discussion, she sent us all a text: "I just read this poem and it makes me think of our book and the special bond within this group, as we each remind each other that the sun does indeed shine." ****** "Coping" by Audre Lorde It has rained for five days running the world is a round puddle of sunless water where small islands are only beginning to cope [...]
We Decide Who We Are
Good morning... On my own, I did not understand the material assigned for Sunday's discussion of Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankel. I needed our small group to help spark wise thoughts, make real connections, and weave random words into a warm cloak of wisdom. About ten or twelve of us talked through the chapter, finding our way to these final words on page 134. "In the concentration camps, for example, in [...]
Love Is An Airplane
Happy St. Patrick's Day... Did you know what the three leaves of the shamrock symbolize? Faith. Hope. Love. I learned this truth at PAWkids during our art project last Monday. Using a large array of art supplies, I saw these three God-given qualities come to life. Art stirs up what exists within us. This is true with adults and with kids. From 4:00 to [...]
There Must Be More
Good morning... There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything [...]
I Expected More
Good morning... As I walked our dogs before bedtime last night, I marveled at the full moon. Then I went to sleep and I woke again, stepping outside at 12:55 am, expecting to see the highly touted "blood moon." Instead of the gorgeous reddish hue predicted, as the Earth eclipsed the moon, my eyes were greeted with the ordinary. The uneventful. The lackluster. When did the mystery of [...]
Who Are We?
Good morning... A friend sent me this image last night, and for some reasons it's etherial, earthy tones jogged my memory about tonight's unique full moon. A total lunar eclipse will occur at around 12:55 am tonight, taking up to 3 hours, 38 minutes for the Earth to pass in front of the moon. Because of the moon's tendency to turn a reddish hue when covered by Earth's shadow, this striking phenomenon will [...]
Lunch With Audrey
Good morning... Last week, it was delightful to share lunch with Audrey and our Fab Five friends. Having met at a Bible study in my living room many, many years ago, this group of amazing women has stayed in constant touch throughout Audrey's fourteen year journey with cancer, facing traditional treatments for neuroblastoma, repeated relapses, hospital stays in different cities, and endless rounds of painful trial treatments. A lot of you in our [...]
Awakening On Retreat
Good morning... 7:53 am. The sun will rise at 7:53 am on the sacred grounds of the Ignatius House Retreat Center. Fifteen courageous women, who are recovering from homelessness and addiction, will awaken on spiritual retreat in their own private rooms. What an incredible gift, the gift of alone time with God. My prayers are with these precious women, as they sleep and as they rise. God, please awaken the power of your [...]
Welcome Recovering Women
Good morning... "Meant to check in with you earlier!!" the Program Director from Ignatius House Retreat Center texted me on Thursday. "First overnight ISP retreat is Monday! Hoping you had it on your calendar…🤞🏼." Ugh! I had neglected to put the date on my calendar when I got the reminder back in January, but I immediately texted her back. "Will bring you 15 welcome bags for the women on Sunday." The Ignatius House [...]
See Spiritual Beauty
Good morning... I don't usually blog on Sunday mornings, but God's guiding light is illuminating more wisdom for us. Yesterday, I shared this piercing picture and mini message. ****** Good morning... "As I sit doing my quiet time I look to the door and this is what I see ❤️🙏😇," she texted. As we see God in the quiet, might we begin to notice God in life's noise? [...]
Sit. Look. See.
Good morning... "As I sit doing my quiet time I look to the door and this is what I see ❤️🙏😇," she texted. As we see God in the quiet, might we begin to notice God in life's noise? God, the great God, the Lord, is speaking. He is calling everybody on the earth, from where the sun rises in the east, to where it goes down in the west. God is shining [...]
Sunfish & The Spirit
Good morning... If we are to go where we are destined to go, we need to harness the power of the One and Only dependable stream of wind. There are other competing winds wreaking havoc in our world. In recent days, I have pondered this wise advice: "Keep your sail out of that wind." I think of the small Sunfish sailboat we have enjoyed as a family on our favorite little lake in [...]