Summer Comfort: Flow

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

I have had jobs where each afternoon I found myself checking the clock.  Time drug out and each minute slid slowly by.  These were not jobs I looked forward to! When time seems to drag we are often lacking engagement and focus. Flow, as described by Catherine Price, is the opposite of time slowing down.  Instead, flow is when you become so absorbed in the activity at hand you forget time is passing.

Flow can happen during any activity that is engrossing. When we are finished with an activity where we experienced flow, it can feel a bit like returning to the present.  Perhaps waking up again to our surroundings or coming up for air, so to speak.

What I find fascinating is how difficult it can be to place ourselves in situations where we have an opportunity to experience flow. First, we need a block of time without interruption.  Between our cell phones, constant media input, and just the normal day to day responsibilities of caregiving and household management, it can be difficult to experience flow. 

But certainly, carving out times where we can become immersed in activities and experiences that create flow are rejuvenating. Accessing our inner creative spark or just having time to let our minds unplug from the constant chatter of life, is certainly a spiritual and healing experience.  

Thank you God for your creative work in my life.  Thank you for each talent you have given.  Your gifts are as diverse as the people you have created! We are healed as we spend time engaged in the gifts you have given us.  Thank you for your provision. AMEN

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Practice of Joy: Connection

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

There are so many ways to connect with others!  Some take more time or emotional energy than others, but the possibility to make connections in life remains available to us all.  What ways can you experience true fun in your community?

  • Join a club around an interest you love!  Me – the nerdy librarian/writer – I joined a book club this year.  What’s your happy-place-club?  If the club doesn’t exist, no problem, start one.  If you know just one friend with a similar interest, and they know someone  . . . before you know it you have your club.
  • Make dates –  with your partner and with your friends! And put them on your calendar.  Intentional time spent in community with loved ones is the perfect opportunity for true fun to break out.
  • Be engaged in your spiritual community.  Showing up at church and participating is a great way to cultivate relationships with others.  If you’re not there, you certainly won’t be there when the fun happens!

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Summer Comfort: Connection

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

Even those of us who consider ourselves introverts need connection to thrive. While it is possible, and perhaps at times even necessary for time alone, the fullest experience of fun requires a component of meaningful connection. 

Catherine Price notes that “memories are the raw materials for insights,” as she expands on her philosophy of true fun, which when harnessed has the power to transform your life. 

And it rings true. Just like our best ideas can come to us in the shower or at times we wake from a dream-filled sleep with clarity or resolution, episodes of fun– when we are playful and immersed in the present moment, feeling deeply connected with those around us– these times provide a positive touch point and they nurture creativity, compassion and resilience. Resources that positively contribute to our lives beyond the present moment.  

The shared experiences are valuable for the warmth and joy they provide, and as we reflect, remember and process our memories, we learn, discern and gain confidence to navigate the unfolding future. 

Triune God, since the beginning you declared it is not good for humans to be alone. And your desire for relationship was again revealed in the nativity, Immanuel, God enfleshed with us. Today, may I be blessed by those who companion me in this season of life. Amen.

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy. Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Practice of Joy: Playfulness

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

Growing up with two younger sisters, our days were filled with lots of pretend play. Yes, it would often end in squabbles and tears (and with a big mess), but we would delight in playing house, setting up a bank, pretending to be college students or designing a fashion show. One summer we pretended our bikes were horses, offering them “feed” and water from rain barrels. Sometimes our front porch became a fishing boat and we found ourselves stranded at sea. 

We were seriously silly with each other, taking on personas and roles, mimicking people we knew and experiences we had (there is an epic flour-paste cavity fill from our dentist play that I will never live down). 

Think back to your childhood. What were your favorite play activities? What are your most cherished memories of having fun? Who was there? What were you doing? 

Take time today to relive that childhood playfulness in some way. It may be playing that favorite board game, taking a few bounces on your neighbor’s trampoline or calling your cousin to reminisce about your games of tag in the orchard. 

Spirited One, thank you for the times of playfulness in my life. Thank you for those dear ones that I could share those experiences with. May you bring delight and cheer into the things of this day. May I remember the gifts of accessing a playful spirit. Amen. 

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Summer Comfort: Playfulness

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

Have you ever worked on an arts and crafts project with a  young child? When little children are left to create on their own they are often unconcerned with the final product.  Think of finger paint, glitter and glue!   While teachers are busy reminding children to just use what they need, children are watching glue pool across their construction paper with joy.  Adults just don’t get it!  

When my now grown son was a preschooler I dreaded going into any store with TV’s, computers or anything with buttons.  He wanted to touch every button.  “Mom,” he explained, “You don’t understand.  That’s what buttons are for – pushing!”  He experienced joy just pushing all the buttons regardless of the outcome.  It was about the process.

In her book The Power of Fun, Catherine Price defines play as free and lighthearted.  Emphasizing that it is not outcome based but instead focused on the process. Somewhere along the line we start to lose this ability to enjoy creative play without fear of judgment or concern for the outcome. 

God created us so that we can find pleasure in work and in play!  Doing either in exclusion of the other isn’t a great idea.  However, I certainly need more reminders to intentionally engage in play than to get to work.  Perhaps you do as well!  Additionally, play is an important key in our spiritual growth and healing.  Being able to engage in something fun or relaxing without fear of judgment brings hope and health into our lives! 

God, we want to be engaged in your world with joy!  Thank you for your playful and beautiful creation.   May we share your gracious spirit with others. AMEN

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Practice of Joy: True Fun

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

What would really ruin the fun, is to add “true fun” to the list of things that you need to do this week!  But maybe we could all look at how we choose to do some of the tasks or hobbies in our lives.  How can you be less focused on outcomes and less judgemental towards yourself and others?  Here are some ideas to try:

  • Go for an amble somewhere beautiful.  Don’t count your steps, or the minutes, or the calories burned.  Invite a friend to go with you or take your dog. Just walk and look around. (This non-outcome based philosophy can be applied to many kinds of exercise!)
  • Host a game night with friends.  Get take out or something from the freezer department.  Use paper plates or whatever takes the stress out of the situation for you.  
  • If hosting stresses you out, just meet your friends at a restaurant.  Enjoy the fun of being together!
  • Post this sentence somewhere prominent and repeat it to yourself whenever you see it: “I give myself permission to think about and prioritize my own fun without feeling selfish or irresponsible!”

We’d love to hear your ideas for having true fun.  If you have one to share, reply to this post below in the comments section to share your ideas with our other Comfort and Joy readers.

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Summer Comfort: True Fun

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21

Perusing the latest issue of BookPage (a monthly literary magazine that highlights new books), I passed right over the review of The Power of Fun. In my video message to my bookish friend, with whom I have monthly discussions about the reviews, interviews and what we want to read next from the suggestions, I acknowledged that I was intentional in my avoidance. As an enneagram 1, my growing edge is to be more playful. My drive to be orderly, responsible and productive results in little space for relaxation and fun. 

In her book, Catherine Price defines fun as the “feeling of being fully present and engaged, free from self-criticism and judgment.” For some of us, it is difficult to get into that space. Yet we all need experiences of deep joy– yes, laughter and silliness, pleasure and contentment. But, also safe spaces where we can show up as our truest self, delighting in being immersed in the here and now. 

What is true fun for you? And when was the last time you experienced some? 

Perhaps the idea of a literary magazine or bookish talk with a friend sounds ridiculously boring to you. I fail to comprehend how running a marathon is a good time. I’m baffled by those who find tending flowerbeds to be their happy place. And that’s why embracing true fun is such a challenge. The specific definition is unique to each of us. We need to spend time reflecting and experimenting, finding the spaces and activities where we are fully present to the moment without concern or critique. What delights your heart? 

God of passion and provision, may I be investing my time, talent and treasures in the places that matter most. May I find my delight and joy in being attentive to your loving presence surrounding me. Amen. 

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Embodied Existence: A Blessing

A poem by Late Night Epiphanies caught my attention one afternoon while I was scrolling through social media. It was a beautiful reflection of appreciation for all that the sister-authors had penned. 

Not only did it foster appreciation for all my body has endured and enabled me to enjoy, but it sparked my own creativity. 

In your journal or on a notecard, take a few minutes to prayerfully complete the prompts (my own examples are in italics). 

Look at your feet: they’ve walked you into new adventures
Look at your feet: 


Look at your legs: they’ve stood in grocery store checkout and danced at weddings
Look at your legs: 


Look at your arms: they’ve held loved ones close and moved furniture to new homes
Look at your arms:


Look at your hands: they’ve washed dishes and built with lego pieces
Look at your hands:


Look at your eyes: they’ve taken in sunsets and translated stories
Look at your eyes: 

Bless this body– my way through the world
In the places of pain, may I respond with tenderness 
In the places of disgust, may I look with love
As my body speaks, may I listen attentively
As my body changes, may I speak with kindness
May my daily refrain and praise of her be:
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The following books inspired our thinking and reflecting for this series.

  • The Lord is my Courage (KJ Ramsey)
  • The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop and the False Promise of Self-Care (Rina Raphael)
  • No Weigh! A Teen’s Guide to Positive Body Image, Food and Emotional Wisdom (Signe Darphinian, Wendy Sterling, Shelley Aggarwal)
  • The Wisdom of your Body (Hillary McBride)
  • Widen the Window (Elizabeth Stanley)
  • Already Enough (Lisa Olivera)
  • Honoring the Body: Meditations on a Christian Practice (Stephanie Pausell)

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

Joy for your Body: Movement

“ Meanwhile, Jesus would slip away to deserted places and pray.” -Luke 5:16

It’s not always what you do but how you do it.  As someone who struggles with how to actually implement self-care this idea has helped me understand in a new way. 

For me, exercise has been a concrete example to practice self-care.  For years I have exercised because that is a way to counter any excess calorie consumption.  It felt like a punishment for eating rather than a form of self-care.  Recently, I have been thinking of exercise as something I can do for myself, while still showing great compassion and care for my body.  I find that intentional movement falls into the category of self-care as opposed to self-comfort (See Sherah-Leigh’s post on Monday!).  I am now able to see exercise as a way of effectively decreasing my anxiety and stress for the day.  When I exercise am saying to my body, “Thank you for speaking to me and getting me through the day.”  I am trying to listen to her and  become aware of what she needs.  This new attitude has helped me think of new ways I could move with compassion for my body – like swimming.

Are there areas in your life where you need a self-care attitude adjustment?  Are there ways you can change your attitude or construct new ways of caring for yourself that help you grow spiritually?  What is one concrete thing you could implement this week to move from self-comfort towards self-care?

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Comfort for your Body: Self-Care (Luke 5:16)

“ Meanwhile, Jesus would slip away to deserted places and pray.” -Luke 5:16

“Go home.”

I looked up at my boss, startled by his sharp tone. Leaning against the jam, he pushed his head through the cracked opening in my office door. 

“Go home. Read a book. I think you need a break.”

A million thoughts raced through my mind as I took in his strong suggestion. Was this a kind gesture? A sign of insight? An insult?  We had just come out of our weekly staff meeting. I had spoken strongly, but as I rehashed the conversation in my mind, I didn’t think I was acting particularly out of character.

The airline safety protocol of put your own oxygen mask on first has become a metaphor for prioritizing our own well being, the pull towards treat yourself culture can often feel like consumerism repackaged. It can be challenging to prioritize our own needs when juggling the many demands of being a person in community. 

While I took my boss’s advice and spent the afternoon out-of-the-office, I also spent the next few days processing what changes I could make to better care for myself. Escaping into a rom-com for an hour was a reprieve from the stressors of the week, but no amount of fiction can fill an empty tank.

The reality is that many of the things that we need to do for our self-care are bigger than taking a hot shower, getting our nails done or having a fancy coffee. While those things are good they are more about self-comfort than self-care. 

Often the things that address our deeper need for self-care are things that may make us feel worse before we feel better– honest conversations, enforcing new boundaries, building strength, disappointing others so we don’t have to disappoint ourselves. 

May I care for myself, examining my deepest needs and prioritizing my well-being, as a way of honoring who you have called and created me to be, O God. 

We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post?  Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them!  Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.

Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.