Daybook

Out my Window: sun is peeking through the clouds, snowflakes fluttering around

Enjoying: candles and twinkle lights, fresh flowers, good books, little electric fireplace heater, Bernie memes (enjoying probably way more than I should)

Listening to/Watching:  I am listening and watching lessons on Multicultural Therapy and Legal and Ethics in Therapy for my new endeavor of schooling. I did take some time to listen to the Holy Post Podcast Holy Post Podcast Their discussion on the capitol attack was interesting, but the discussion on David French’s article on Southern Shame Culture and the re-writing of the post Civil War narrative was worth the time. The interview with Jemar Tisby was helpful Episode 440: Southern Shame Culture & How to Fight Racism w/Jemar Tisby (holypost.com) I am looking forward to reading his new book, How to Fight Racism. I also highly recommend following David French or receiving his free letters through the Dispatch. David French – The Dispatch They are well written and very thought provoking.

Reading:   I finished reading The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection by Robert Farrar Capon with the Rabbit Room. The Rabbit Room | Reading Group: The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon This book discussion is still going on, but my life is heading in another direction so I finished it. What a fascinating, fun read. The nuggets are hidden throughout discussions on food and table prep. The last part on dinner parties was culminated with the beautiful hope of the Supper of the Lamb… the wedding banquet we are invited to. Capon’s enjoyment of food and life is evident. His fluid writing of ordinary mixed with hints of deep theology is worth this very different read.

The bread and the pastry, the cheeses and wine, and the sugar go into the Supper of the lamb because we do. It is our love that brings the city home. It is I grant you, an incautious and extravagant hope. But only outlandish hopes can make themselves at home.

Robert Farrar Capon

I finished Madeleine L’Engle’s The Rock that is Higher: Story as Truth. I love L’Engle’s storytelling ability. I love her honesty and wrestling, along with her stating bold truth that holds her together. This one was different as she invites the reader through her post accident healing and intertwined it with Biblical narrative. She always reminds the reader of the deeper story and how it all connects.

But mostly evangelism is not what we tell people, unless what we tell is totally consistent with who we are. It is who we are that is going to make the difference. It is who we are that is going to show the love that brought us all into being, that cares for us all, now, and forever. If we do not have love in our hearts, our words of love with have little meaning. If we do not truly enjoy our faith, nobody is going to catch the fire of enjoyment from us. If our lives are not totally centered on Christ, we will not be Christ-bearers for others, no matter how pious our words.

Madeleine L’Engle

It was quite a productive reading week. My main focus was on Where Goodness Still Grows: Reclaiming Virtue in an Age of Hypocrisy by Amy Peterson which I finished also. It was water for my thirsty soul. A dear friend sent it to me and the timing was perfect. It has been encouraging, challenging, and clarifying in this season of heartbreak and darkness in culture and in the church. I underlined quite a bit and have much to think about as she challenges the reader to make sure our virtues and what we hold dear find their roots in the Bible and not in American Culture.

 Freedom Starts Today by John Elmore. Freedom Starts Today Released this week. Freedom Starts Today: Elmore, John: 9781540900623: Amazon.com: Books My review can be found here Freedom Starts Today (Book Review) – Inkblot Life

I added Reading While Black: African American Interpretation as an Exercise of Hope by Esau Macauley to my before bed reading. It has been interesting and encouraging so far. I highly recommend listening to any interviews with him and so far the book has not disappointed.

I started my two college classes this week so most of my reading is focused in that direction.

Rambling Thoughts: I am loving how words can be a balm for the soul. The young poet, Amanda Gorman who was so poised and radiant at the inauguration was such a blessing for me in the midst of Christians in my world going crazy with negativity and fear. The light and hope that is ours to find and to be are always there because our hope is in Christ who promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He promises to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The part that has gotten picked up from that Gorman’s poem, that is striking many is, “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it” is what we need as the people of Christ. Earlier in her poem she states “Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree And no one shall make them afraid” We are people of the Word, we are people of hope and light. It seems that many in my world have lost this narrative and thrown their hope on a person and wanting the government to not tell us what to do, while at the same time desperately wanting the government to fix what ails our culture. We are called to be hope and light. We are called to love our neighbor from womb to tomb. We are the hands and feet of Christ. It seems we have bought the narrative that we need a certain type of government to do the great commission. That is a lie that is distracting us and crippling us as Kingdom builders. We are supposed to be about redeeming culture, not yelling at it and wanting it to revive. The revival we need is not of America but of the Church…. the world desperately needs the Church to be the Church. I am not sure what this always looks like, but I pray that we would become the workers for the harvest that Christ told us to pray for. May we be as Amanda Gorman reminded us the ones who look for light and have courage to be the light.

Fitness and Mental Health:  Definitely not a stellar week with fitness. Too much sitting with class stuff. I did walk one day, did some Pilates, and when subbing in Kindergarten I did some Cosmic Kid Yoga (I am totally counting that.) The last few weeks things have gotten off kilter, hoping to get back on track soon.  Mental Health: still being intentional with my daily gratitude journal, exercise, and continuing to look for beauty are key. Writing the date and day and a brief list of the events of day has been very helpful for my mental health. Numbering my days…

Home: Keeping people fed, clothed, and things somewhat clean as we are still in the middle of two renovations are my goals. I did get the Christmas stuff cleaned up so that was bonus.

Giving Thanks For: candles, twinkle lights, snowflakes that flutter in the light, nature, being back at school subbing, God’s mercies, people who challenge and encourage me to think deeper and bigger about ideas and life, well cared for, my home, provisions, rest, so much beauty in this world, good books, challenging thoughts, community, grace, God ordering my days, His provisions and reminder of His heart for me, forgiveness, refining

Advertisement