Look to Bless Someone
This morning–in the midst of exhaustion (it’s too early!)–and a desire to go back to the weekend’s ease, I remembered to take my eyes off myself for a minute and revise the day’s purpose: I’m here. You’re here. What if I’m here on this day, in this pathway, in this body to offer blessings in […]
We Do In fact, Adjust
I think of losing that precious hour of sleep when we change our clocks. It feels so wrong, so terrible, and so punishing to wake so early. But we do, in fact, adjust. It only takes a few days, and it’s like we were always on this schedule. I think about how quickly we adapt […]
A Meal Plan and Our Favorite Green Smoothie Recipe
I know how stressful and exhausting cooking for a family can be. And I know how great I feel when I plan out the week on Saturday, finish all the grocery shopping, and gain that sense of order before Monday sends us out full speed ahead. In case you don’t know what you’re doing this […]
Diminishing Needs
As I grow older, I find I need less. The more time I spend with the Lord, the more I find myself filled to the brim and then overflowing. There’s too much, even. I have not only what I need, but all I need. And then I have some to share. In past decades, I […]
Two Lessons from a Ballerina
I learn something profound from my ballerina friend who studied under one of the best instructors in the world. She tells me of two rules in ballet that made me think about living life more beautifully. First, when the ballerina walked on the stage, the instructor told her to present herself as if a beautiful […]
Knowing God’s Presence
I realize that many people don’t experience the “presence” of God in their lives. They wonder if it’s even biblical to speak so mystically. What does it feel like? Is God really there? This morning I read Psalm 21:6 and David’s claim about God. He writes, “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made […]
A Few Gems from Psalm 16-18
This morning, I read the encouragement in my favorite group of Psalms, 16-18 (so worn from reading that they’ve fallen out of my Bible). Consider these gems: Psalm 16:5: You alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 17: 6-7 I call on you, my God, for you will answer […]
Nature Therapy
I leave for the woods on this bright, snowy late morning. I enjoy the silence and the peacefulness. I stay for an hour, thinking about anything I need to think about, taking notice of beautiful things, and capturing moments.
As If Death Were Already Behind Us
This morning I read In the School of the Holy Spirit and Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe as both have aided me in my journey to mental health. I read two phrases that help me understanding surrender to the Lord in a deeper way. First, I read of truly free people. Philippe writes, “The only people […]
Gather the Wise Ones
I listen well when Italian Mamas share wisdom about aging, creativity, friendship, and love. I learn about all the times in life a woman must reinvent herself, and I listen to how that happens, what it’s like, and what to expect. Everyone needs friends who gather to pass on wisdom. When you find those friends, […]