Mama Mondays

  This week has felt like a hundred years. As a wonderful salve, I was with Tyler Merritt  on his book tour for This Changes Everything with beautiful people full of love. In between those rooms, we kept vigil for our neighbors and country. As expected, we are all immediately carrying the weight of chaos. A quick reminder to those of us trying to recognize our faith in this distorted mirror: Protecting vulnerable, innocent people is always the right thing. Jesus was unflinching on this. Bishop Budde asking for mercy was not "hateful," "ungracious," "nasty," "not compelling or smart," "inappropriate," "boring," or "uninspiring." Nor is it cause for apology. Mercy only offends the unmerciful. The only adjective Trump used that I am forced to agree with is "radical." Jesus was too. He spoke truth to power exactly like this, and political and religious leaders hated him for it, this "so called" Son o...

This is a poem/prayer that I wrote when sitting by the river on Saturday...💙 Dancing on the River I walked down to a sunny spot by the river to find a quiet spot to read. The sunshine made its way across my face and filled my cup to the brim. I heard Your invitation to come dance on the river, so I kicked my shoes off and made my way to meet You in the middle of the river walking on the water and then skipping towards You. And then we danced and twirled around and looked into each other’s eyes splashing water at each other and laughing. Lover of whom all my loves are hints, thank you for inviting me to such deep delight with you in this precious dance of life.

Some quotes for you about Epiphany are below that I found to be so good. May they bring you some encouragement this week…⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   The season of Epiphany extends from January 6 until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  Robert Benson wrote this:    "Now the season of looking for Him everywhere is upon us — the season of Epiphany is what they call it.  Heads up. Keep your eyes and ears and hands open. He is everywhere, and He moves in pretty surprising ways. You do not want to miss Him."    Be like the magi, those ancient wise men. Do not obey in advance. Discern deceit; trust the truth. Be brave. Following a star means moving at night. Sometimes the night will be very dark indeed. Keep on the journey; trust the way. The star will stop. We can kneel, worship, choose joy. Even when Herod enacts his evil schemes, God is with us. Love is here, born into the world. Offer your gifts. Travel light. Give...

We had to switch our phone plans for a number of reasons and I was on the phone for hours on Thursday and Friday and Saturday getting it all ironed out. I was reminded of this lovely prayer from Kate Bowler for some of those "garbage days" when things just feel tedious and dumb and a royal waste of time.  On this day of Epiphany, may you find some "crumbs of joy" (Kate Bowler's words below) and may you "cultivate a new way of seeing" (as Gregory Boyle so beautifully states in his new book) especially when it you find yourself living in the midst of a garbage day...  💗 for this garbage day  I can find no good in today,  and I don't want to try.  It feels like a lie to sugarcoat reality,  instead of naming what is.  When there is much to grieve,  too many losses and disappointments to name,  too many things going wrong,  when I'm better off climbing back under the covers  and trying again tomorrow.  Blessed are we, the Debbie Do...