Your Swampy Days
My daughter remarks that she wants to research swamps because nobody really likes them and developers destroy them to their own peril. As a family, we remain fascinated by whatever one rejects at face value that could, in fact, become a moment of flair. I learn again that swamps are good. Swamps serve us. They […]
Clarity
I hear a quote from Mother Theresa: “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust.” When I think of someone who exhibited such a clear mission in life, it astonishes me that Mother Theresa not only did not have clarity, she once suggested it wasn’t the best thing to pray for. […]
Always on Time
I recall the line by Lemon in a Def Jam Poetry performance: “God may not come when you call, but He’s always on time.” I laughed when I heard the line because of all the years I called for God to come with this or that blessing. He never came when I called, but He […]
Sometimes Their Story is More Important
Today I’m reminded to turn my attention to the stories of other people. I think about enabling them to tell their story rather than always talking about my own. I think about all the time I spend developing the craft of writing and how deeply I care about telling stories, but I think now about […]
Starting with Compassion
Today I was challenged to look at others first through the lens of compassion. If I begin with deep concern for others–especially for any ways they might be suffering–I can more easily transform anger, judgment, or disregard into gospel love by God’s power. I begin with compassion, and I see things differently.
Crumbs
I’m at an outdoor cafe, and I look down to see a little family of mice emerge from the cracks in the sidewalk and nearby door frame. They know it’s lunchtime. One mouse is the size of a tiny spool of thread. She comes boldly for the crumbs. I had just returned from hearing how […]
The Same Monday 5 Years Ago: Framing the Day
I love remembering. I love recording and reviewing all I’ve learned over the years. Today, I go back to a Monday in July five years ago when I was just learning how to be happy and find meaning each day. I loved this little moment with my friend in the store: What We’ve Known For […]
Big Enough for Broken Dreams
My friend gives me the book, Walking with Arthur: Finding God on My Way to New York, by James O’Donnell. As the author recounts a spiritual memoir of coming to faith in Jesus, he mentions a pivotal question his friend Arthur asks him one day. “What do you most deeply trust?” The question mattered to […]
Go Paint a Stone
Today we gather up some stones and paint them! It’s fun, relaxing, and whimsical. We tuck the stones in among other rocks to bring joy. A minion even appeared. The morning feels like it did the day we gathered acorns and painted them that long autumn afternoon years ago. In any season, nature offers something […]
Bake More Cookies
My daughters have never said no when I ask them if they want to bake cookies. But I usually say no when they ask me. Who has the time? Who wants to measure and clean again? After two days of no, I say YES! Oh, I’m so glad I did. Put on the music, gather […]