pondering taking sides

I feel just like this ....

but a lot more hopeful than this author seems to. Or shares in this exact piece anyway.

I will hold on hope!

pondering what it means to bless and be a blessing

pondering friendship

Proverbs says,

Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

I was refreshed today by a sweet friend. Don't underestimate the power you have to speak life into others. If you get the chance to do so, take it (from someone who was just on the receiving end, it's dearly appreciated).

The Urgency of JOY

I am careful not to overload my facebook wall with "too much". I don't bear that concern here. This is my blog. If it is wearisome to you, don't read it. :) What comes to mind to share, I will share ...

This blog by Richard Beck is a must read, in my opinion, for anyone wondering about universalism or all the current talk about heaven and hell. To most every word of it I'd have to just say, ditto. I will say, though, at the end of it he is a bit hard on people - that is not my shtick. I have been snarked at lately, but I will not snark back. I just wish everyone knew ... I want all the prodigals AND all the older brothers to come to the party the Father is throwing.

As long as I'm posting here let me add that I'm a few chapters into Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, I'd never read it. If you haven't either - do. You'll fall so in love with the Good News you won't hardly know what to do with yourself.

pondering parenting

you know those sad people who audition for American Idol in the first round, who are fodder for TV because they are SO horrible and they don't know it? I don't watch anymore, it's too awful. I always ask, doesn't someone love that poor soul enough to tell them they can't sing??

I'm convinced parenting a child who never-ever-ever-stops-talking is much the same. to act like every word out of their mouth is jaw droppingly interesting would be a lie. to act like we're sitting on the edge of our seats with interest every second would be a form of abuse. it would be akin to saying, oh sweetie yes you can, you can sing better than any of them, you sing beautifully! when for some the honest answer is no ... no, you don't. in the same vein, honesty requires us to say, you can't talk ALL-THE-TIME. you just can't, love. it makes people wish you would go away. so let's have a conversation. a real conversation. and then, let's be quiet together. yes, you can. and you must. sit quietly now. nope. no more words. you've used all your words. I love you. now ... do not speak again. at. all.

this, I'm convinced, is loving.

pondering joy

sometimes the best thing to do is just get on a roller coaster, throw your hands in the air, and scream like hell

I will hold on hope

Went out and mowed the grass, with this song set on repeat, and sang it at the top of my lungs. I imagined myself sitting with Julian (yes, of Norwich) one day, sharing an awesome bottle of wine and laughing together at all the silly boys and their silly arguments ...