Inspiration

The Gift of A Son

Reflections for contemplative living

One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in my life is my vocation as a parent. I’ve been blessed beyond measure with two beautiful children and three bonus children, one of which was born twenty-eight years ago today.

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Inspiration

True Love

Reflections for contemplative living

One day a while back I was struck by the notion of wanting to “learn love.” I’d hit a wall with my teenage daughter who was struggling with her mental health and the love I was giving her wasn’t enough. The pain of this situation drew me towards my own transformation. And what a gift it was. 

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Inspiration

Cracking Open

Reflections for contemplative living

A seed can exist for a long time but unless it falls into the soil and cracks open, nothing further comes of it. Their life is inside, but it’s a life that grows by being given away and mixing with the soil around it. Paradoxically, when you look at a great tree, you simultaneously see none of the original seed and nothing but the original seed, now flourishing.

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Inspiration

The Praise Paradox

Reflections for contemplative living

To mature spiritually, we need to grow in wholeness which is body, mind, and spirit, living an integrated life. This way of living is hard, not for the faint of heart and what’s meant by the “narrow gate.” By living our best life, we worship God to the fullest, giving praise and all glory to our Creator. 

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Inspiration

Morning Routine

Reflections for contemplative living

We all have one.  Are you rushing to get out the door to start work or get the kids off to school? Or are you carving a little space for yourself to set your intentions for the day?  It’s challenging to think about creating space for a “Holy Hour” full of prayer and scripture reading as part of a morning routine but it is well worth the effort.

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Inspiration

False Reality of Busyness 

Reflections for contemplative living

Busyness in our lives can keep us believing that we are in control, that we are managing just fine, living in a false reality. And no doubt there are some things we are handling. Meals are cooked. Laundry is done. We haven’t missed much work. We’re on top of our finances. But we aren’t peaceful. What’s wrong?

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Inspiration

What We Resist Persists

Reflections for contemplative living

The greatest sources of our suffering are in the lies we tell ourselves. It can be excruciating to face reality. Most human suffering is related to love and loss, when we feel those real, raw emotions that just crack us open. To live life, we must acknowledge, experience, and bear the reality of life with all its pleasures and heartbreak. We need to know what we know and feel what we feel. 

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