As We Wake Stuffed
Good morning... I love this Halloween photo of our nephew and his expectant wife. On the morning after Thanksgiving, many of us wake stuffed. "Today's average American lives more comfortably than the nineteenth century's wealthiest tycoons, who never beheld the sky from an airplane seat, browsed a website, heated soup in a microwave, or looked at a color photograph," observes Chris Lowney, writer, speaker, formerly a managing director of JP Morgan and currently [...]
What Tops My Gratitude List?
Good morning... "The whole person is involved when we give thanks from our hearts," says Br. David Steindl-Rast. As I wake early this Thanksgiving morn, my heart is saturated with gratitude. I am grateful for small, simple pleasures - a furry blanket and cozy socks that hug my feet just right. I am grateful for my husband and our home, our two dogs and our four kids, who will feast together today. I [...]
Gratitude Is Born In The Storm
Good morning... Our Friday group finished the fall semester last week, yet we have remained connected through a lively email string. Regularly we share words of encouragement as we pray for Elizabeth, the 37-year-old daughter-in-law of our classmate, who began her first round of chemo on Monday for advanced colon cancer. "I want to tell you all how much your prayers and support for Elizabeth mean for all of us," wrote our friend. [...]
When Life Feels Weighty
Good morning... When I walk and talk with one dear friend, she often notices stray worms inching aimlessly across the surface of the sidewalk. Gently, consistently she picks up every lost worm she sees, placing each in the familiarity of the soil beneath the soft green grass. "I know you love caring for stray worms," I wrote her last week. "Here is a poem for you by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer." ****** On a [...]
Soul Friends Surround Us
Good morning... In good times and in bad, "soul friends" surround us. We are God-with-skin-on to one another. It's as if the Holy Spirit-in-me and the Holy Spirit-in- you enjoy life-giving conversations. Yesterday in our final Friday morning class, we revisited a favorite quote about what it means to be a "soul friend." ****** Excerpt from Simple Faith by Margaret Silf, pages 47-48 Our Celtic forebears, who founded Christian communities in Ireland and [...]
Mull It All Over
Good morning... Last month, she sent me gorgeous photos from her visit to Gibbs Gardens. Breathtaking are the blending colors, shapes, and textures. Grass and sky. Water and trees. Real and reflections. Not one. Not two. Now slowly scrolling through, I sip and share the beauty. After reading our post from yesterday, My Bitter Mistake, she emailed me again, sharing words that seem to mirror the lush richness [...]
My Bitter Mistake
Good morning... Like the red, hard blueberry in the plastic pail above, my day began with a bitter mistake, an error in judgement, a disrespectful choice. I did what I could to remedy the situation, but the damage had already been done. Hurt had happened. I was wrong. I felt so bad. I genuinely apologized. Disappointed in myself, I stepped into my day. Thinking back on my poor decision now, I am drawn [...]
Joy With A Shadow Of Sorrow
Good morning... Light and shadow are inseparable. Joy and sorrow so often hold hands. Highs and lows are quite the pair. Ebbing and flowing cannot be stopped. I read a poem out loud in our Monday class highlighting the two-way street nature of our oneness with God. "For the joy set before him Christ endured the cross," explains Hebrews 12:2. The joy and the cross. Not one. Not two. ...Sue... [...]
What Questions Steal Your Sleep?
Good morning... Yesterday afternoon we had our final Monday class of the fall semester. To keep our attendance high, we have learned to end classes before the week of Thanksgiving. After reading a poem about effortless unity with God, sharing the details of some very important prayer concerns, and fleshing out a Spirit-led giving opportunity, together we read aloud quotes from this dynamic semester of discussing Simple Faith by Margaret Silf. I think [...]
I Am A Little Dandelion
Good morning... As I wake in gratitude for these early morning hours, I envision myself quietly living my favorite Mother Teresa quote: "I am a little pencil in the hand of writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." As I invest two or three hours prayerfully pondering, writing, and editing words during the wee watches of most nights, the Spirit scribbles a daily love letter to each of you [...]
Savor Life With Soul Friends
Good morning... On this hazy Saturday morning, my husband and I debriefed from yesterday over coffee. Much like we did during our long season of parenting four active kids born six years apart, we needed to divide and conquer to cover our important Friday commitments. Steve went to the memorial service of Sarah French while I went to a 60th birthday celebration for my dear soul friend, Laura Deisley. Seventeen of us gathered [...]
Celebrating Sarah French
Good morning... "Sarah Patterson French of Atlanta, Georgia was a devoted mother, dependable friend, and loving wife," begins her obituary. Surrounded by her family who loved her dearly, she passed away on October 23, 2022, at the age of 50, following a short but valiant fight against cancer." "Sarah's primary and most loved role was mother to her beautiful and accomplished children, Colin & Virginia," the tribute says later. "She was devoted to [...]