True story about me: I flunked scissors in kindergarten. Yep, that is me. “Jean Anne needs more work with scissors and fine motor skills to pass this year.” I did pass but I never forgot – I couldn’t cut. Fine motor talent wasn’t in my DNA. Not ability in finger agility. This is the narrative, the story, I heard as a child, and those words carved deeply into my heart as a true identity of who I was. Adult experiences confirmed this supposed truth. I was never good at painting or drawing. I tried cutting material for quilt classes and my accuracy messed up the patterns. I did learn as an adult my best artistic medium was words – I love playing, painting, proclaiming, and penning with words. Music also provided a creative outlet. But here I was a few weeks ago – like a fish out of water, attending a 5-day Icon Painting workshop at a retreat center. Eight of the other attendees were not just repeat students at this art but had been painting this technique for multiple … [Read more...]
Art, Healing, and Friendship
One my biggest pleasures writing online is the friendships God has given me over the years. Several of you I have met in person and most of you the online community is where we connect. Across the country and even the world (Hello South Africa!) we have bonded through sharing, conversations, and listening to another’s story. Friendship heals. I have also noticed lately the powerful healing found in art. Art is defined broadly – painting, sketching, doodling, stained glass, dance, music, writing and so on. I recently learned of one person who is using pencil art as she journeys through grief. Another sings with his guitar at nursing homes and finds life-giving purpose. Art heals. I want to introduce to you a new friend I met online from England. Holly Moeller founded her art studio - Kettle & Quill in 2024 and today she is sharing here her story, her faith and her art. I hope it blesses you as her voice, words and paintings have blessed me. Following the Wild Call … [Read more...]
What is Saving My Life Right Now? – Spring 2026
What’s saving my life right now? Ever ask yourself this thought-provoking question? I find sitting with this question to be life-giving, uplifting, refreshing and provides a moment of rest for my spirit. One of my mentors, Emily Freeman, asks this question frequently too. She discovered this question in a book by Barbara Brown Taylor (another mentor of mine!) in her book, Leaving Church. Taylor shares the story of being a guest speaker at an event. When she asked for her topic, this was her host’s request: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” These words invite us to pause, reflect, and savor what is giving us life at this moment. What a great spiritual practice to pause, take a deep breath and listen to your life and ask: what is giving/saving your life right now? What is bringing you joy? What grounds you and helps you get out of bed each day? What helps you get your mind off this crazy messed up world and helps you remember beauty, meaning, and love? … [Read more...]
Inspiration from a Favorite Movie and the Artemis II Space Launch
On our flight to Norway, I rewatched one of my favorite movies – Contact starting Jodi Foster. This movie has such a deep spirituality side that many people miss. Not just in the obvious story but often hidden in some of the lines spoken by the characters. Here are a few of the inspirational ones that I have pondered and held deeply within my soul: The following movie quote seemed appropriate for Easter season and when I heard it again caused me to look up and capture these bits of wisdom from this movie. We will find life when we seek the One who gave his life for us. I heard the essence of that quote above repeated this past week when the Artemis II spaceship launched. As we waited nervously through the countdown, I keep thinking about the Columbia disaster and those lost lives. I watched an interview of one of the current astronauts who said in my paraphrase: “Yes, this flight is risky. It takes courage and curiosity to go into space. But we are all part of … [Read more...]
A Delightful Mistake
I love to travel. I love to be home too. The comfort of routine. The adventure of seeing the world and gaining new perspectives. This year though I made a mistake, a delightful one, that involved our travels. We booked a long overdue bucket list trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights for March. Then for April we booked a baseball trip (my hubby loves baseball and we have been to all the parks!) to see the newly renovated Tampa Bay stadium and a trip to Miami to watch our beloved, though not always winning, Cincinnati Reds play. Great idea. Confirmed on two different pages of the calendar. The mistake? The trip ended up less than a week apart and that week in-between was busy, extra worship services, Holy Week. YIKES! How will I catch my breath, find the energy, and remember to savor and enjoy the present with this crazy booking back-to-back? I reached into the vault of past blog posts and found a post I wrote in 2014 – 4 and ½ reasons why I love to travel. … [Read more...]
Playing with My Word of the Year
I do love words and playing with words often brings joy, insights, and surprises. Words are tools for writers yet so much more. I see words as friends, teachers, and fellow travelers on my journey in life. My word of the year is WAY. Instead of seriously studying this word and seeking stoic wisdom (which will come in many forms) I asked this word - What delights do you hold? Yay Way! When I introduce WAY as my word of the year Barb Hergeburg left this comment: “When I first read your words, I thought you had chosen “yay”. Can you imagine what a journey that would be?” Yay way - doesn’t that lighten up a word? It’s like putting WAY in gigantic neon lights. We celebrate its existence in our life. When these two words combine, the height and power of WAY amplifies. Yay way makes me smile. No Way Jose! No way, Jose means ‘absolutely not!’ This expression originated around the 1960s. The exact origin is unclear. However, it likely became popular simply … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – 2026 Midwinter
I love to share Four Somethings – things I have read, seen, experienced that made me stop and savor life. One practice I frequently encourage is reflection – pausing and pondering where you are, where you have come from, and where is God inviting you into next. I share bits of wisdom in 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 “One cannot cover the face of God.” African proverb I am reminded to take deep breaths and be present in the moment. God is here and yet larger than I can comprehend or imagine. And I am held in the hands of God and called beloved. You are too! Something Wonderful Do you burp your house? I think this is such a fun, silly term. Popular in … [Read more...]
Lent: Thoughts, a Prayer, and a Poem
Ash Wednesday is Feb 18, and the season of Lent begins. I always consider this time as an invitation to slow down, listen, and experience God. I consider what spiritual practices sharpen my inner vision and open the ears of my heart in preparation for Easter. Lent is the 40-day period of deepening practices. Some find fasting and repentance essential for this journey. I like to select a devotional book based on Lent and also see this time as a opportunity for more extended quiet time and journaling. I would be amiss not to mention the book I wrote for Lent, 40 Voices. You can find it here. I feel this year to enter Lent with silence, stillness and a listening heart. I hope to increase my morning prayer time with quiet contemplation on the gracious and grandeur of God and the love and sacrifice of Jesus. I am asking the Holy Spirit to show me what obstacles I cling to that prevents me for fully loving the Trinity and to create space in my heart for more and More. I like how … [Read more...]