I am that old woman in the room who save tissue paper, ribbons & gift bags (I draw the line at wrapping paper–I have standards, you know!). It will probably embarrass my children and family for decades to come that their gifts and the gifts we give their friends, come wrapped in newspaper, grocery bags […]
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Generous and loving God I praise you for the gift of rest offered. May I embrace the treasure of an unhurried day A day that unfolds peacefully. That I might accept it for exactly what it is exactly what I need; a gift offered. Lord you are the Giver of All Good gifts I pray that you find me […]
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Recently a paper-clipped envelope headed for the bank on my morning errands, was misplaced. This brought on a bit of a panic into our little abode. Checking diligently in all of the places it might have been, I tore our house apart doing my best to think logically, remain clear-headed, and introduce the St. Anthony prayer to our little ladies […]
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I doubt I’m unique in this–maybe deliriously oblivious to my own aging–but I love birthdays (including my own). Not because of the gifts—actually I sort of dread that part. I think they are important mile-markers at least, opportunities for gratitude at best. Each year, I do try to sit for a while with what has […]
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It’s the first of July this weekend—my favorite month of the year; appropriately greeted by a maiden voyage in my canoe, followed by cold beverages in the sand. It was hot and sunny—just as it should be in my humble opinion. Not one thing was accomplished on my to-do list today. It was perfection. Abundance […]
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A favorite professor once asked which person of the Trinity our class most frequently sought out in prayer. The answer seemed obvious–to everyone—and conversation erupted! This question brought a new awareness of the gifts each of these persons has to offer me as well as the importance of knowing who is accompanying me on this spiritual […]
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Bread-breaking was one of my resolutions for the year, and I’d say we’re doing this marginally at our house–Welcoming others into our home to share a meal and break bread together (which is so much more than feeding people). It is the ritual in which we reveal ourselves to one another, in the posture of our […]
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(This is a real time conversation in my head that began on Good Friday and continues inconveniently and honestly, into the Easter season). Connecting with Scripture A wise woman I know leads Advent retreats in which she invites retreatants to imagine the role that they might play in the nativity story and anything is fair game– […]
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A prayer for approaching Triduum: This is where it seems to hinge, my resolve is weak. The season of sparsity has drug on. The voices in my head and the voices of the past, quiver,’Why have you abandoned me?’ Feelings of loneliness and doubt linger reminders of brokenness, abound. Trudging toward Triduum I join the […]
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A prayer for growth: Cultivating God, I notice you in the strangest places– early blooms, a crowded classroom,silence where I seek familiarity memories of loss and hope for growth. God, make me like a seed that when pushed into the dark, my response is to slough off all you cannot use, and grow. Amen Katie Cassady, Unexpected […]
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