We Are Audrey’s Angels
Good morning... "Sue, you might want to check the list of people on your blog," Jennifer DeShetler texted after yesterday's heartbreaking post, Audrey Relapsed Again. "There have to be real angels of God reading. Dr. Kushner called Ben this morning." "Wow," I replied. "I have chills, Jennifer. God is at work in ways we cannot see or understand. So grateful this connection was made." Angels in the Bible are messengers from God, making [...]
Audrey Relapsed Again
Good morning... Audrey DeShelter has lived in my deepest prayers since she was diagnosed with cancer at age five. She is now an amazing young woman, a spectacular student heading into her senior year of high school. Her mom, Jennifer, was in my Bible study at the time Audrey's neuroblastoma was detected, and we have been closely bonded, soul to soul, through the highs and lows of this long cancer journey. Many of [...]
When We Feel Empty
Good morning... In response to yesterday's post, Be Filled Up, she simply texted, "I wish I could stay filled up." "New mercies come every morning," I replied. "Fresh installments of the Spirit each day." Within the hour, another friend surprisingly emailed me these words. ****** Excerpt from Let God: Spiritual Conversations with Francois Fénelon by Winn Collier It may not seem like it, but this is a wonderful thing when you have nothing, [...]
Be Filled Up.
Good morning... A soul friend texted me last week: "I am still sitting and praying about how to move forward with our vision….I read this today and thought of you and thought of our beautiful time together in the mountains….love you so…..and more soon!" ****** God’s Word Through Divina, 8th July 1970 Can you really come into the wonder of My presence whenever you choose, and find your whole being melt into Love? [...]
What I Crave Most
Good morning... On behalf of friends going through very challenging circumstances, I crave the healing presence of God. I yearn for God, the all-powerful God, to show up in undeniable ways, ways we can see, sense, surrender into, fully. Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God. My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God’s face? My [...]
Amid Life’s Swirling Storms
Good morning... As I sip my morning coffee, I notice a swirl in the weathered wood. My mind is drawn back to a Soul Collage card I created earlier in the week. The powerful swirl of hurricane winds imitate the pattern of the knotted wood. Now that you have gathered our attention, Lord, what might you teach us on this brand new morning? Severe, swirling storms [...]
Our Days Are Numbered
Good morning... Yesterday, in the morning, my friend sent me a picture of a page from her well-worn Bible verse flip calendar. Psalm 90:12 (NIV) is brought to life. "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." A quote from Brennan Manning amplifies God's encouragement. "In prayer Jesus slows us down, teaches us to count how few days we have, and gifts us with wisdom. He [...]
Facing Things We Didn’t Choose
Good morning... "I don't know if you're online with Kate Bowler's messages, so I wanted to pass this along to you," wrote my dear friend. "I saw it a few weeks ago and I thought it was so poignant, especially for those of us who are struggling with very difficult situations," my friend continued. "I loved your recent writing...."In the Middle of this Mess." Seeing my [...]
Fourth. Full Moon. Freedom For All.
Good morning... Waking in the wee hours of this July 4th, I snap a photo of the full moon beaming bright above our darkened world. Fourth. Full moon. Freedom for all. My mind is drawn back to a phrase shared in our blog post a few days ago: "Trail of Tears." "The Trail of Tears was an ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of approximately 60,000 people of the "Five Civilized Tribes" between 1830 [...]
In The Middle Of This Mess
Good morning... A few nights back, I texted a friend, "I am up praying for you. Love for your precious family fills my heart. Any specific requests I can prayerfully ponder with you?" A few days later, her response filled my phone. In the middle of the night now, I revisit the text string creating a roadmap for all of us seeking to persevere with hope through very hard circumstances. Tears. Pain. Suffering. [...]
It’s Been A Trying Morning
Good morning... "Hi, Sue," she wrote. "It’s been a trying morning, so reading this gave me hope. Check out this profound paragraph below — 'My ancestors did not survive the Trail of Tears because…' I am embracing the thoughts of inclusivity instead of exclusivity today." ****** Excerpt from Steven Charleston's Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder's Meditations on Hope and Courage, p. 62, 67-68 My ancestors did not survive the Trail of [...]
How To Feel Better
Good morning... I smile at this framed cross-stitch saying my mom made for me a few years back. During the pandemic pause, my mom watched from afar as our ministry to women continued to thrive, mainly through our interactive daily blog posts and through individually scheduled walk-and-talks, outside, one-on-one, social distanced. When my 58th birthday came around in March of 2021, my mom honored me with this special hand-stitched gift. I felt seen, [...]