Mama Mondays

As I was sharing with Dave and Tamara over the weekend about this past week, I got teary as I felt like my cup was overflowing from the gratitude I feel from all that has transpired.  Below is a reflection/meditation about a cup from my friend Lilly Lewin who led a retreat I went on with Tracey for her 50th birthday. I thought it might be a good one for you too as you have had such a big week with Boston, Stinson Beach, and with the upcoming time with Porter this weekend!  ------------------------------------  I’ve been drinking from a mug I got on my recent trip to Scotland. It is reminding me of all the beauty and beautiful things Jesus did on our pilgrimage. It helps me to start my day in joy and gratitude. I invite you to join me in praying with your cup today and drinking from the CUP OF GRATITUDE. Grab a favorite mug or cup to pray with today. Fill it with your favorite tea, coffee etc. OPENING PRAYER Uncrowd my heart, O God, Until silence speaks In your still, smal...

  Here’s a letter that I drafted in October explaining my intention for the Boston Marathon this spring and how you have been an integral part of it. TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): I decided that the 2026 Boston Marathon would be about joy—and I’m leaning into that by running dressed as Joy from  Inside Out . Over the 26 weeks leading up to the race, I’ve been turning joy into a little practice of its own, writing weekly letters to people who have sparked it in my life. This letter is my way of bouncing a little of the joy, light, and gratitude you bring into my life right back to you. Long Version: I was on a flight home from a hike with friends in California on October 15th when I suddenly knew exactly what the 2026 Boston Marathon would be about for me. I decided I was going to ham it up again and dress up—because life is far too short not to be a little silly and ridiculous. In 2013, I ran Boston dressed as Dorothy from  The Wizard of Oz.  This time around, I’ve ...

" Well, against all odds and advice from experts, I’m going to live like there is still hope.  In fact, I’m going to be downright ridiculous about it. I’ll be defiant and stubborn, an absolute curmudgeon for hope. I will be gentle with all my fears and heartbreak, the anxieties of being a person in this age at this moment. I’m going to take deep breaths and relax my jaw. I will remember that the Gospel is not in danger; it has survived everything from fascism to Christian nationalism to tradwives discourse before.  The Good News isn’t nervous yet. I will abandon everything that whispers that it’s best to give up, to stop trying, to give in to the despair. Everything holy has a bit of dirt on her chin and blood on her knuckles anyway. Today, I will trust in the wisdom of elders who have seen it all and still speak of hallelujahs.  I will assume faithfulness wins. I won’t forget that the outsiders are God’s insiders. I’m going to make the coffee in the morning and hug my ta...

  “I want to say that I don’t know how many times in my life I have heard and read and spoken the 23 rd  Psalm, but this week as I wrote this sermon, something totally new stood out for me – which is the word ALL. Surely God’s goodness and mercy shall follow me  all  the days of my life. All the days. Not only the good old days. All the days. From the day we drew our first breath to the day we got caught stealing that candy bar. From the day we met our first true friend or fell in love, or finally stopped drinking… to the day the oncologist called, or our child died. From the day we could not stop crying, to the day we finally appreciated birdwatching. All  the days of our lives Right up to the day God will lovingly call us by name one last time.” -Nadia Bolz Weber