Please Take Your Time
Good morning... After writing about our need to be kneaded by God, I am drawn back to an old favorite poem. The first line begins: "It takes time to bake a loaf of bread, to grind, to knead, to wait..." Please take your time, reading these sacred words as slowly as you can. ****** It Takes Time by NOEL DAVIS FROM “HEART GONE WALKABOUT” It takes time to bake a loaf of bread, [...]
We Need To Be Kneaded
Good morning... One line lingers from the prayer she prayed. "Lord, knead us into one." Jesus makes clear God's vision. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us (John 17:21a, MSG). Form. Mold. Fashion. Sculpt. "Lord, knead us into one." Then he shares a hands-on parable. Imagine [...]
Peace. Power. Purpose.
Good morning... I love this unique bird rising up into purple. Purple, the higher way we have been exploring with God. Purple, the masterful blending of red, white, and blue. Purple, our patchy pathway forward into God's peace, God's power, God's purposes. "Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another circle can be drawn," notices Ralph Waldo Emerson, "that there is no end in nature, but every end [...]
The Fear In My Head
Good morning... Our friend read this poem aloud to us over the phone. Now might we read these tender words aloud to ourselves? ****** have courage to be a beginner entrust your time to telling a tale in which the ending is veiled. build patience for the harsh voice inside; she is still a child who believes perfection is the prerequisite to belonging. over and over I find that behind every voice of [...]
What’s Next?
Good morning... At last night's wedding and reception, it was fascinating to watch the children. A few were crying loudly, unsettled by some discomfort. Some were dancing freely, spinning, swirling, jumping with joy. Older ones were helping younger ones, holding hands, kindly guiding. Still others were completely exhausted, sacked out in their parents' arms. It was great fun to watch the children; lots of strong emotions popped out on full display. I could [...]
Something Died Here
Good morning... Last Saturday, I woke to this scene outside the front door of our Pennsylvania log cabin. A mess of feathers strewn about. The grass was covered with remnants of a struggle. I thought to myself, "Something has died here." Then by evening time, we were watching on TV the scene at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A mess of emotions strewn about. The farm show grounds covered with remnants of [...]
When I Swam At Sunrise
Good morning... After driving nine hours toward home from Pennsylvania, we stopped in North Carolina to visit our oldest best friends. With ease, we talked about everything that came to mind; how wonderful to feel truly seen, known, and loved. After our long dinner and our soulful discussion, we went to bed. Being the first to wake around 5:30 am, I put on my bathing suit to swim for an hour as the [...]
One Touching Story
Good morning... This week, we have been considering the three simple rules which will change our world. First we commit to "Do No Harm." In practical ways, what might this look like? I just met a story that helps me understand more clearly the transformational love of God. ****** Transitions by Paula D'Arcy In the 1990s, I heard author Frederick Buechner (1926–2022) tell a story from his time teaching at Exeter Academy. He [...]
Our No Hurting Zone
Good morning... "What a wonderful message, Sue!" she emailed after yesterday's post, Follow The Purple Path. "I just love anything purple. In the area around our farm in NC, people paint purple lines on trees around their property to indicate no hunting is allowed there. There is a big deer hunting season up there. And we have put purple in our trees. From now on, it will make me think of your line, [...]
Follow The Purple Path
Good morning... Purple is the common ground created when red, white, and blue are combined with loving care. Purple taps into God's guiding power, creative, cooperative, collaborative. As I was pondering these thoughts, I was surprised to find and to follow an actual path in the woods clearly marked by purple blazes. On page 26, we pick up a description of the purple path as we consider quotes from Three Simple Rule: A [...]
On Back Roads Of PA
Good morning... As I walked the back roads of rural Pennsylvania, flags were everywhere. Red. White. Blue. Everywhere. It dawned on me that something new is created as we melt together the distinct colors of these manmade symbols. Red. White. Blue. Blended, these different shades become purple. I began to see purple everywhere. Calming, collaborative, purple everywhere. [...]
No Easy Answers
Good morning... "Prior to my loss, my prayers had been petitions for things I hoped to have or intercessions for others," writes beloved author Paula D'Arcy, who lost her husband and her three year old daughter to the recklessness of a drunk driver. "Now my one prayer was, 'Show me. Show me,' or, 'Teach me how to see.' A guidance from within began transforming me through that prayer. I felt a sincere desire [...]