Good morning... While on our women's retreat the first weekend of December, I met a small, sweet book. The Art Of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed. In a simple, inviting pattern the authors offer poems, photographs and short reflections on the names of God, the character of our Creator from whom all blessings flow. When life [...]
Good morning... The joy was palpable as we created one hundred Christmas gift bags for police officers to deliver to senior citizens in the impoverished Grove Park area of our community. Before we began the PAWkids' project, I had no idea how we would actually accomplish the festive feat. After two fun-filled work sessions, everything came together almost [...]
Good morning... Before we gathered to create one hundred Christmas gift bags for the police officers to deliver to the senior citizens in the Grove Park neighborhood of our city, LaTonya Gates, founder and director of PAWkids, said, "Sue, I would love for you to include Bible verses in every bag." So I was gifted with the joy [...]
Good morning... After our small group Christmas gathering, I simply had to snap this photo. The image reminds me of our need to rest amid the holiday hurry. Breathe deep. Allow the Spirit to fill us full. Prepare for the peaceful presence of our living Lord to be born in and through us each night and each day. [...]
Good morning... Luke 3:4 whispers, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” In his chaplain's devotional message this week, my husband Steve remembers with us the focus of this Advent season. May we practice the presence of the living Christ born in and through us today. ****** "Prepare the Way of the Lord" by Rev. Steve Allen - December [...]
Good morning... When the founder and director of PAWkids asked me and the women connected to our church family to create one hundred Christmas gift bags for the seniors in the poverty-stricken Grove Park neighborhood of our city, my heart leapt! What a sweet hands-on way to give, to create, to joyfully join hearts with our expanding community. [...]
Good morning... "And above all," says the Roald Dahl quote tucked in a beautiful thank you card, "watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." Watching with glittering eyes, I have seen the magic of [...]
Good morning... I was driving around in December's hustle, rushing to here before dashing to there. "Of course, there's a train," I texted the photo above to the person forced to wait as I was running late. A line of red taillights. Stopped by a standstill. Traffic mounting along with my anxiety, my frustration, my anger at myself. [...]
Good morning... The winds of December are already blowing wildly, and it is only day number three. Excess. Expectations. Extras galore. How much of this crazy do I bring on myself, speeding, scattering, struggling to do it all? Today is the last day of our semester's class and, for the life of me, I cannot find my book. [...]
Good morning... Over Thanksgiving break we were up before anyone else in our family, so my oldest daughter and I enjoyed coffee and a great conversation. I asked her, "So what new thing is God teaching you right now?" Since she has left her job as a medical assistant and is now meeting with people who are interested [...]
