Each November, I find myself counting blessings, focused on thanks and giving in the season. Gratitude seems to belong in the season of Thanksgiving naturally. As the years have passed, the lingering effects of practicing gratitude changes perspective and overflows into the rest of the year. Ann Voskamp describes it best when she says, “Joy’s a…
Often when I think of peace, my first thought is of inner peace. A concept defined as psychological or spiritual calm despite potential stressors that we may face? The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which refers to the appearance of calm and tranquility. These days the world feels far from peaceful and inner peace;…
It is almost December, and the Christmas season approaches. While some people celebrate birthdays only on a single day, the actual day of birth, others I know love to celebrate for the entire birth month. The word Advent means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In various Church traditions, Advent is celebrated…
There is so much need in this world, and it feels heavy. A weight that far exceeds our capacity to meet. Requests and opportunities for support, many from important causes, fill our mailboxes and inboxes. How do we live generously, especially when we are struggling to keep our heads above water? As we journey towards…
Over time thank you can become a polite habit, a scripted response. Often the words thankful and grateful are used interchangeably. And in many ways, they represent the same idea. Yet these words are not the same; there is a subtle difference. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, thanks is an expression of gratitude, and gratitude…
November can be the beginning of the crazy holiday chaos and most busy (sometimes wonderful) time of the year. Planning for family gatherings, shopping, lots of shopping, baking, special events, and more. It can be beautiful and fun but also life draining and chaotic. We can easily fall into the commercial ideology of more is…
