Good morning... On our return flight, I could not wait to get home, to walk through our front door, and to be smothered by the whole-bodied affection of our two dogs. Unbridled excitement. Unfettered joy. Undeniable love. Yesterday afternoon in our Listening Group, one of the women shared her deep emotions about recently putting their 15.5 year old dog [...]
Good morning... Because I did not grow up catholic and I have never wrestled competitively like my husband and our sons, I have never fasted. Until yesterday. A few weeks back, I happened upon these words in the book we are reading for our Spiritual Direction training program. Saint Ignatius of Loyola "spoke not of extended fasts but rather [...]
Good morning... If you knew your close friend would betray you by evening's end, would you sit down beside him and share a meal? If you knew this would be your final dinner, would you willingly pull up a chair and relax into your seat? If you knew this celebration would lead to your death, would you show up [...]
Good morning... She read aloud another favorite quote: "And then it felt as though these thoughts came across to me in a prayer: 'Walk on with empty hands, because I have so much more to give you in the future, and you can't receive it if your hands are full. Don't be afraid that in letting go you are [...]
She read aloud another favorite quote: "And then it felt as though these thoughts came across to me in a prayer: 'Walk on with empty hands, because I have so much more to give you in the future, and you can't receive it if your hands are full. Don't be afraid that in letting go you are losing anything [...]
Good morning... I happen upon Psalm 145:17 in the Message translation. Everything God does is right—the trademark on all his works is love. My mind wanders and wonders: "What is the definition of trademark?" Researching I learn, a trademark is a distinctive characteristic by which a person or thing comes to be known. A stamp or seal. A trait [...]
Good morning... She read aloud her favorite quote from this week's chapter, "...as people journeying in faith, we have committed ourselves, deep in our hearts, to trust that whatever the future holds, it will always unfold in ways that ultimately, though perhaps not immediately or visibly, lead to more and more fullness of life, for each and for all." [...]
Good morning... As I was texting back and forth with a close friend recently diagnosed with cancer, the words from an old hymn came bubbling up, "Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey." We were both drawn to the simplicity of focus. Be happy in Jesus. Trust. [...]
Good morning... Continuing yesterday's conversation, God drew me to an article entitled 40 things to give up for Lent and beyond, a list published in 2015 by Phil Ressler. Might we pick one inner quality to reflect upon during each of the forty days in Lent? There are forty days between Ash Wednesday and the Saturday before Easter, minus [...]
Good morning... During our Listening Group yesterday, we placed our base on this truth: God is love (1 John 4:8b). God is patient. God is kind. God does not envy. He does not boast, is not proud. God does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking. He is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. God does not [...]
