Honoring Diana And Hersh
Good morning... Last Thursday, Diana's spirit left earth for heaven, released from the cancer that filled her body. On Sunday, I sat in the church pew behind her daughter, hugged her, listened to her grief, bonded over her deep love for her mother. Later, we sang the Audrey Assad song below, I Shall Not Want. First thing on Monday I revisited the gorgeous song, lifting up loved ones in prayer as they prepared [...]
Come. Pause. Rest.
Good morning... On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested (Genesis 2:2, VOICE). Created in the image of God, might we reflect the same restorative rhythm? Come. Pause. Rest. There still remains a place of rest, a true Sabbath, for the people of God because those who enter into salvation’s rest lay down their labors in the same way that God entered into a Sabbath [...]
My Dance With Steve
Good morning... Today, my husband Steve and I will reunite after his first adventure in his new role as Chaplain Emeritus at the Lovett School. Creating and directing Lovett Expeditions, a global trip program for adults in our community, Steve has passed the baton to Lovett's next head chaplain after serving kids diligently for twenty-nine years. Today is a new chapter in our life as a couple, as he returns from summiting Mt. [...]
What Is Mine To Do Today?
Good morning... As I woke in the dark, I was drawn outside to water our very, very thirsty plants. The brilliant light of the moon and the stars startled me amazed. I snapped a photo, turned on the sprinkler, and, beside our two dogs, I sipped on my coffee beneath our back porch. "God, what is mine to do today?" I wondered to myself amid a myriad of possibilities. "Lord, where might I [...]
Steve Summited Kili
Good morning... Waking early, I took time to process myself by writing yesterday's blog, Steve Is In Africa. In retrospect, I realize now that the post expressed the tip top of my emotions. Hope. Connection. Optimism. I had not heard the voice of my husband Steve for nearly a week as he led his first Lovett Expeditions trip to hike Kilimanjaro. Soon I would learn, a mountain of feelings lived beneath my surface. [...]
Steve Is In Africa
Good morning... The last time my husband Steve and I were physically together on a mountainside was in Banff, Canada. We explored the Canadian Rockies with our adult kids in June. This week Steve and I have been spiritually together as I have prayed constantly for him and the group he is helping to lead up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. It has been a whole week since I heard his voice, which [...]
Listen To The Genuine
Good morning... For years, I have been asked to be the kick-off speaker for the "Lovett Moms In Prayer" group each fall. What an annual delight! Yesterday was the day, and I spoke with a roomful of young mothers who have high hopes for this new school year. I was asked to share our "fleece" story from the fall of 2002, the story of the genuine voice of God breaking in to move [...]
Visiting My Parents
Good morning... For years and years and years, I have taught Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, for years and years and years. Then in May, my friend said, "Why don't you consolidate your classes so you'll have more time to go to Ohio to visit with your parents?" I checked with the regulars on my rosters, and sure enough, people were fine with shifting classes to Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday [...]
Loving Those Who Suffer
Good morning... This week our blogs have focused on supporting one another, close friends and strangers, through the painful parts of life. A longtime friend wrote me a touching email about the loving support she received years ago. ****** Letters by Ella Herlihy In response to your post about how to love someone well when they are suffering and your heartstrings are pulled to care for them… We experienced what people refer to [...]
Tears Run Down My Face
Good morning... She wrote me after yesterday's post, Abby's Anniversary. "Sue, I don’t personally know any of these people and I’m reading your message with tears running down my face. I can’t imagine facing what they face. Is there anything someone who doesn’t know them can do to support? Obviously I’ve been praying for all of them. But is there anything that you could think of on a personal level that wouldn’t be [...]
On Abby’s Anniversary
Good morning... In the middle of the night I wrote yesterday's blog message, Abby. Audrey. Eliza. Then I climbed back into bed. After waking from my second sleep, I re-read Abby Smith's obituary and was surprised by the final line: The Celebration Service of Abby's life will be held on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00pm at Northside Church with a reception following. That was 2011. August 21st. God's Spirit somehow spurred me to write [...]
Abby. Audrey. Eliza.
Good morning... Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in immature nerve tissue, usually affects children under the age of five. In the spring of 2006, I began working at Northside Church in the Children's Ministry. Then in January of 2008, I became the Women's Ministry Director. Throughout my time at Northside, I have been deeply affected by the challenges of neuroblastoma, as we as a church have walked closely beside the families [...]