Blessing: Summer gifts

long hot afternoonsjoint warming heatripe sweet cornjuicy tomatoescampfires cracklesandy beachesmoutain hikescool poolsschool’s outchildhood freedombreezy morningschange of pacean invitationafternoon napslong books eyes focusedon the abundanceof summer. Hoping you experience the blessings of rest and joy this summer!

Summer Fun: Blessing

May the Spirit, who ordered the chaos, spoke everything into being and animated creation Enliven you May the Holy One who provides manna performs wonders and makes a way (when it seems there is none) Bless you May Emmanuel who took on flesh, laughed, cried, prayed and shared a table with friends Companion you todayContinue reading “Summer Fun: Blessing”

Summer Comfort: Restoration

“Well, kids are resilient,” my confidant announced. “It will just make him stronger,” she pronounced after I shared about a hard experience my son had endured.  While practicing self-confidence, flexibility, patience, communication and teamwork may all be valuable none of us would wish these skills to be strengthened through adversity. In her book, The PowerContinue reading “Summer Comfort: Restoration”

Practice of Joy: Flow

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  -Matthew 6:21 While I generally love the change of seasons and the opportunity for new rhythms and emphases, one of my dreads of the summer is all the togetherness. As a creative who works from home, flow is an important (and sometimes elusive) elementContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Flow”

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 areContinue reading “Summer Comfort: Connection”

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 toContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Playfulness”

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,Continue reading “Summer Comfort: True Fun”