“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” This famous line comes from a poem written by Robert Burns. “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” — Dolly Parton who we sadly lost recently. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I wrote last week about my planning on being on retreat. This annual spiritual practice refreshes my soul, and I was so looking forward to spending quiet time with God.  But detours often happen in life, don’t they? Several circumstances within my family developed and then intensified. I kept hearing my lamplighter, Julian of Norwich whisper, “All will be well…”. I paused.  I listened. I prayed. And I knew where I needed to be.  Home.  Available. With family. Disappointed?  You bet. A little self-pity? To be honest more than a little. But I have learned to give myself space and grace. Space in a limited time to feel sorry for myself.  Grace in letting go … [Read more...]

Periodically I pause and reflect on what is life-giving for my soul right now. Where am I experiencing God? Where is God nudging me forward? I call these bits of wisdom: Four Somethings and sort them into four categories: Gathering Four Somethings make me aware of all the blessings often hidden under busyness, worries, and distractions. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey. With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way. Something Wise Found this encouraging after a day when I wanted to quit: "Your first attempt might not be very good, but nobody's early work is good. There will always be a gap between where you are and where you want to be. And the bridge between that gap is courage. The courage to look foolish in the beginning. The courage to show up again when your early work is criticized. The courage to look yourself in the mirror and say, "I realize I'm not good enough … [Read more...]

Since “way” is my word of the year I look for all the “ways” this word pops up in my life. I watch for quotes, lyrics, and phrases. One phrase I read the other day jumped out to me: The Milky Way and this use of my word invited me to explore.  Learning more about this Way, I savored awe and wonder, and the amazing creation God has gifted us. I paused. I listened. I worshipped. And just think: the Creator who designed this magnificent marvel, knows you, loves you, guides you and will always be with you. May these tidbits bring you also into the incomprehensible and beautiful miracle of the universe and life itself: Reading all this makes us feel small and maybe a bit insignificant, doesn’t it?  And what does this teach me about my word of the year? Pondering “way” as I ponder the Milky Way drenches me with wonder and astonishment. Its vastness and beauty surrounding and holding us humbles, amazes, and awakens me to the presence of God and the preciousness of … [Read more...]

As I read the internet, peruse my emails, and get lost down endless trivial rabbit trails of fascinating information, I collect and save some interesting stuff. Today I thought I would share with you some this n that potpourri of maybe useful but probably not material that has caught my attention lately. How do you organize your books? I see photos all the time of other people’s bookshelves compiled by color. All the yellows on one shelf; reds on another. Not me. I want to find the book I am looking for. In my little brain and way of thinking there is only one way - alphabetized by author’s last name! Apparently, I am not in the majority as one study revealed: The vast majority of you are nuts. How can you live in the sheer chaos?• Topic: 39.5%• My own particular method: 28.7%• Vibes: 16.4%• Alphabetically: 7.6%• Color: 6.8%• Acquisition date: 1% Great New Word Susurration – meaning A whispering sound; murmur. It comes from the Latin “susurrare,” meaning “to whisper.” It … [Read more...]

A grief burst is an sudden huge burst of emotion that you can’t escape. Bursting upon your heart unexpectantly you are grabbed and slammed into a dark pit. You become overwhelmed by grief emotions you may have not even known you held inside your soul. I learned this in my recent classes about grief but then experienced a grief burst myself the other week. The class taught me the definition, but life brought me the reality. For two nights, I cried. No, I sobbed. I could barely catch my breath. Overwhelmed by losses I wept. My brother died June 14. We were not close and as adults barely communicated, but still my sibling was dead. Then another broken relationship shattered once again reopening a deep wound. My soul hurt. I wrote in my journal: What am I grieving?Yes, the loss of a siblingBut more than that.Tears rise from broken relationshipsA life not fully lived.All the “what could have been.”The loneliness of what actually is. My prayer those two nights were sniveling … [Read more...]