The Plumcot
Where You’ll Most Grow
I like thinking about making a decision based on what will help me most grow. Will this new location, job, assignment, opportunity etc. help me grow? Will it not? How will it impact my spiritual life or the growth of my family? Choosing things that help us grow sounds wise to me these days.
Winnow Out
Today I faced two large projects that both overwhelmed me. Both involved too much information that required winnowing. (To winnow out means to blow or sift through something in order to remove the chaff and find what’s essential.) When you winnow, you start with an enormous pile–of words, of things, of thoughts, of tasks. And […]
Your Own Timeline: In Praise of Early Things
Something marvelous and strange happened late yesterday: I decided to check on the plumcot seeds that sat quietly chilling in the refrigerator. I had already sprouted an apricot seed, and I love plums, so I figured I’d try to germinate the hybrid plumcot. But you need patience for this kind of thing. Like six months […]
When a Friend Mails You a Book to Read in Exchange for Your Thoughts
Today I opened my mailbox to find the book Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson. My wonderful and thoughtful friend sent this book after she began to read it. The book made her think of me! She sent it as a gift so I could read […]
Keep Casting Off All that Entangles
Lately, we’ve been cleaning and organizing our pantry, laundry room, and kitchen. I easily spot things we haven’t used in years. I make a neat pile of donations. I also find cans of soup in the recesses of my pantry from nearly a decade ago. Before a new semester begins, it’s time to cast off […]
Reconnect with Joyful Things
I’ve recently reconnected with my love of college basketball. I loved attending college basketball games when I went to the University of Virginia. And now that I’m at Penn State, I have followed and cheered loudly for the Penn State basketball team. My husband and I love doing this together. We even now go to […]
Looking Back and Forward
My oldest daughter turns 18 years old today! I can hardly believe it. I found myself crying tears of joy, gratitude, nostalgia, and sadness all mingled together. What a privilege to witness the growth of a child to adulthood! I took some time to wallow, but then I turned the page to think of her […]
Tucking Yourself In
Last night, I thought about my current bedtime routine that involves reading news on my phone, laughing over funny videos, skimming Twitter, responding to email, or even drifting off to a movie. I emailed a friend to ask about her evening spiritual ritual because we’re studying the Psalms together. I had just read about the […]
Happy New Year!
I pray you experience great, new, unexpected blessings this year. May hope fill your heart. May you find little miracles and astonishing beauty all around you. Might you unearth the treasure hidden in every soul you meet. I pray you find a creative community where you feel alive and at home. I pray this is […]