I’ve Broken A Lot
Good morning... These glass bottles line one window sill in our living room. They serve as a reminder of God's repeating process of growth, change, regeneration. The egg of our potential exists. Then, unexpectedly, things fall apart. We sit still in the sticky mess, empty, empty, empty. Over time, the seed of new life begins to form, "Amazing things are happening here." Together, only together with God, "WE can," we can face the [...]
Our Daily Work Begins
Good morning... As the sun rises on this new day, there are layers and layers of crowded needs. Where do we begin? We deepen into a poem which has guided the lives of many for over a decade. ****** The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman from Bread for the Preacher, Dec. 2009 When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and [...]
Create A Space Within
Good morning... "Your greatest gift is not your gifts, but your surrendered yes to be a space for God," writes Ann Voskamp in The Greatest Gift. "The miscarriage of Christmas begins when anxieties crowd out the space within simply to carry Christ. Make room; be a womb. Be a womb to receive Christ everywhere, and it is He who delivers everyone." On this unique Christmas day, [...]
This Says It All
Good morning... "This kind of ‘says it all’," a friend wrote this week. "...my wishes for you and all those I love!" ****** December's Gentle Grace by Etheric Echoes This holiday season, I'm wishing for the kind of wealth that money could never buy - the gentle peace of a quiet mind, the warmth of laughter echoing through rooms filled with those we love, and the pure joy of adventures that remind us [...]
Our Emotions Spread
Good morning... A fun poem I met earlier in the week came to life at the PAWkids Christmas party. As a complete surprise, I was presented with a dozen red roses from the After-School Program Director. She was thanking me for all of the incredible Christmas bags our Northside Church women shared with the families of Grove Park, for all of the creative hours our weekly volunteers put into arts and crafts activities [...]
Light On The Longest Night
Good morning... In the earth's Northern hemisphere, tonight is the winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice. The winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year. At dawn, we will wake up into the first official day of winter. I happen upon a poem to shed light on this special night. Then, after sharing an empowering Bible verse, I will share a cool video [...]
Tonight’s Winter Solstice
Good morning... After Saturday's post, One Dynamic Daughter, any of you asked the same question, "How do we order these adorable "Audrey's Angels"? I reached out to my friend Jennifer, Audrey's mom, and here is her reply. "This is so exciting!" Jennifer quickly responded. "Thank you so much for writing this blog about 'Audrey's Angels." I was at the Preschool Gift Show this morning and two ladies came to buy specifically because of Sue’s blog. [...]
Obsessing About My Flaws
Good morning... I did stuff I shouldn't have done. I didn't do everything I should have. I'm up tonight, obsessing about "things I've done and things I've left undone." This phrase - "things I've done and things I've left undone" - this phrase shaped my mind as a child as, by rote, I recited it each Sunday as part of our Lutheran liturgy. With some of the things I've done, I feel really [...]
Betty Skinner’s Work Expands
Good morning... How wonderful it was to receive an email yesterday from my friend Kitty Crenshaw, co-author of the book The Hidden Life Awakened, creator and keeper of the website hosting the wisdom of Christian mystic Betty Skinner. Since the spring of 2007, my life has been intimately shaped by Betty's uphill climb through the valley of debilitating depression to the mountaintop of healed wholeness with God. Below is a personal invitation extended [...]
One Day At A Time
Good morning... My 86 year old mom has endured a series of falls, several surgeries, and nearly three years of slow recovery. One thing she loves is cards, cards that make her laugh. Freely displaying these clever treasures all around their villa, she is surrounded by tangible symbols of the lasting love of family and friends. This is one of the cards I love the most. [...]
Being With Aging Parents
Good morning... With my parents in the performance of the Holiday Choir at their senior living community, this was a good long weekend to come to Ohio for a visit. Sunday was a full day. Church. Kiwanis pancake breakfast with Santa and our extended family. Creating their Christmas card. Getting out ornaments for their live tree. Quality time with my brother and sister, catching up, sharing dinner, giving our parents a photo calendar [...]
Don’t Worry About Spills
Good morning... "I want to share this tune written by my nephew, which was released yesterday," a friend wrote on Saturday. "He's a father of three neat kids (15, 17, 20) and recently divorced. He's reflecting on his hope that his kids know that the time they spend together outweighs any of the mundane daily 'stuff.' Definitely comes from deep in his heart." "I absolutely love this," I wrote back. "I am listening [...]