Have I told you that I get to do homework? I get to do homework! I am in the middle of reading a book by Marcus Borg for class. I like him. And on Tuesday evenings, I get to meet with a wonderful group of people, and we get to have conversations about God and … Continue reading News and Direction
"Are you ready?" You wait patiently as I drink another cup of coffee and check today's news and get up once again to look at some or other inconsequential happening. The gentle question holds the hint of a smile As you wait for me to find my way back to you.
I've been contending with empty pages for a while now. Empty journal pages—pen poised in my hand for 30 minutes and the page still blank. Empty word documents—cursor blinking and not a word to type. Empty pages sometimes feel like failure. In a few days, I will be staring down another blank page. For the … Continue reading Welcoming Empty Pages and Spacious Places
Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone started their day by cultivating lovingkindness in their hearts? (I'm an idealist. I like to imagine these things. I like to think that anything is possible.) Maybe that's too big. I should start smaller. How would my day, my interactions, my heart change if … Continue reading Heart Exercises: Stretching your heart with lovingkindness
I love words. If you've been hanging around this blog for a while, you might know that I especially love Frederick Buechner's words. Not only do I love the way that he paints beautiful pictures that burrow deep into my soul, that catch my breath, that bring me to tears. I love how Buechner illuminates … Continue reading Words of Grace: 10 Favorite Quotes from Frederick Buechner
For some reason, I'm finding words to be scarce this summer. Although, sometimes you don't need many words. A few will do just fine. A Poem: It sounds cheesy and much too simple, but I honestly believe it is True. The Answer is Love. The way, the truth, the life: this is the Love that … Continue reading A Poem and a Practice: Adored.
"Whether or not it seems sacred at first, a threshold can become a holy place of new beginnings as we tend it, wait within it, and discern the path beyond." -Jan L. Richardson I find myself at a threshold this morning--stepping from what was and into what is to come. Life is made up of … Continue reading To Pause at a Threshold (Or: What in the world happened to the time?)
My daughter had a giant-sized, shallow sliver sticking out of her finger. It could have been an easy, quick fix. I reached for her hand. She hid it behind her back and frantically screamed: "Don't touch it!" But I can get it out. "Don't touch it!" You can get it out. Why don't you try? "Noooo." … Continue reading Let’s Make Space for One Another Instead of Trying to Fix Each Other
“Creation itself is a sacred text through which the presence of God is revealed to us.” –Christine Valters Paintner Last weekend, I hiked with my family through a gorgeous piece of woods in a state park close to home. The trees were green with young leaves. Warm sunlight illuminated young ferns and a myriad of … Continue reading Walking with your Eyes and Heart Wide Open
The other day I packed up half of my closet. I don't know what happened, but my clothes shrunk. The clothes that used to be just a bit too loose are now too tight. Or even unbuttonable. Sigh. I cried a little. Maybe even more than a little. It felt like I was being invited … Continue reading A Poem and a Prayer in Honor of Expanding
Jessica Sanborn 