Because It’s a Good Story
This morning, I hear from several people who wished, at some point in their lives, they had a different story. At that time, they were angry at God, mad at the world, and filled with cynicism. They didn’t want the story their lives were telling. Who would willingly want death, suffering, persecution, or isolation? Who […]
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 […]