Celebrating Firsts Together
Good morning... When our four kids were growing up, going to Lovett where their dad was the chaplain, we would always take a picture before they jumped into the car for their first day of school each year. Here is a charming example of our annual ritual, celebrating one "first day of school" with a photo. Last week, we enjoyed our first vacation as a family since our new daughter-in-law has joined the [...]
When Gratitude Is Hard
Good morning... "Hope you are having a good summer," she wrote. "When I read this, I thought of you. It reads like words you would write." What a kind compliment. ******* a blessing for when gratitude is hard to come by, June 16th devotional by Kate Bowler I have a complicated relationship with gratitude. Gratitude, on one hand, is one of the most powerful tools for dealing with terrible things. On the other [...]
After Weeks Of Sun
Good morning... A dear friend watched our dogs while we were vacationing as a family near Banff, Canada. Sharing photos, she texted, "Hanging on the porch this morning! Please soak in every last drop of that cool weather while you can. Summer has definitely arrived here in ATL! We miss you." At 5:30 am in Canada and 7:30 am in Atlanta, I returned a picture [...]
Power Reliably Rises
Good morning... Every single morning, the power of the living Christ rises like the sun. Do we sense it? Do we trust it? Do we notice God's quiet, reliable movement? Our only task is to stay plugged into the Source of eternal power. My friends, this single act, this act of staying plugged in, tops our to-do list every day. But our ancestors resisted following [...]
Don’t Give Up
Good morning... For some unknown reason, this fun photo of my dad has gotten saved on my computer desktop. Without a technical bone in my body, I am a very unusual daily blogger. I am not on social media. I don't know how computers work. And I really have no idea how this photo got saved on my laptop, this photo of my dad performing in Music Man at their senior living community [...]
Welcome In Or Lock Out?
Good morning... Scrolling through photos I took over the weekend in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, I am struck by the dichotomy of this expressive photo. Look at the details. What do you see? Now up in the middle of the night, I reflect on my way of living and wonder, "Am I learning to welcome all or am I stuck in the habit of securing old, rusty locks?" In this immediate moment, [...]
A Married Couple Makes Fire
Good morning... On a ninety degree evening in June, my husband Steve performed a wedding for one of his former Lovett wrestlers in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The setting could not have been more perfect, as the slowly descending sun snuck behind a mammoth tree on a bustling street corner beside the historic waters. Walking down the pastel-colored street from the hotel to the ceremony, two unique individuals were surrounded by friends, [...]
Two Birthday Girls
Good morning... Yesterday, June 9th, hosted two special birthdays. My mom turned 86 years old in Ohio, and Audrey DeShetler turned 19 years old here in Atlanta. Born on the same day, sixty-seven years apart, both of these women have a strong drive to live life fully. After falling last Monday night and having surgery to repair a broken hip on Tuesday afternoon, my [...]
Our Deepest Hope
Good morning... Our deepest hope is Galatians 2:20, quoted here in the New Living Translation. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. The life of the risen Christ now rises up in us, as we trust in the [...]
Why Bother?
Good morning... "Why bother?" asks Sean Thomas Dougherty. Then, he answers his own question. "Because right now, there is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words." Painful wounds and healing words meet at the right moment. Here, at the crossroads of wounds and words, God's presence is palpable. Might the power of God's presence be enough for us to bother? But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and [...]
United In Pain And Sorrow
Good morning... When a friend from our Friday group sent the quote and image above, we collectively embraced the eternal truth. "Hearts united in pain and sorrow will not be separated by joy and happiness," says Khalil Gibran. "Bonds that are woven in sadness are stronger than the ties of joy and pleasure. Love that is washed by tears will remain eternally pure and beautiful." Pain. Sorrow. Sadness. Tears. If given the option, [...]
Yeah Mom!
Good morning... Brewing coffee for my dad and myself, I drank from her "Yeah Mom!" mug. Before surgery to repair her broken hip, I was so grateful to see my mom, to kiss her on the forehead, and to share with her my love. After my sister took me to the airport for my return trip back to Atlanta, I was glued to our family text string throughout the day. "Just talked to [...]