Rhythm is a term we most often associate with music. But when you think about it, life has an inherent rhythm, i.e., recurring patterns of events that happen in a certain order in time.
I Got Rhythm: How About You?
Faith
Reminder: God Doesn’t Sleep
Recently, I was in a conversation with a little boy of perhaps eight or nine. And when I asked him if he ever prayed/talked to God, his answer made me smile. He said, “Yeah. But it doesn’t always work. I guess sometimes He’s asleep.”
“Perfect-ish” Attendance: the Importance of SHOWING UP
As millions of children return to school (in person!) this week, I have pondered a little about the idea of attendance, or the importance of “showing up” as it applies to us all in our everyday lives. Even to those of us, ahem… well past school age.
Continue readingWhat’s Grace Got to Do with It?
By “it” I mean tranquil domesticity. What’s grace got to do with tranquil domesticity? If you’re here reading this blog, I’ll go ahead and assume you’re “for” tranquil domesticity (the concept—not the blog… I mean… I hope you’re also for the blog…).
The Grass Isn’t Greener—How to Love the Green, Green Grass of Home. Now.
We’ve all heard the saying about how the grass isn’t really greener on the other side. We usually think of it in terms of what we have versus what someone else has. But it’s also good to remember when comparing our current stage of life with that of the past or future. I want to encourage you to think about how to love the “green grass” that’s right in front of you. In your home. Right now.
What the World (And Your Home) Needs NOW
A new commandment. Sounds so simple, right?? After volumes of laws detailing how we treat one another had already been narrowed down in Matthew 7:12 to “do to others as you would have them do to you,” then come three simple words: Love one another.
Unfortunately, simple doesn’t equal easy. Where laws had been previously written on stone, Jesus meant for us to wear the law on our hearts. Good deeds and flowery speech don’t cut it. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that those things are only a lot of noise unless done in love. No amount of outward law-keeping gestures measure up. It’s the simplest yet hardest command ever, akin to “be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.”
Continue reading4 Ways to Have a More Tranquil MARRIAGE
For many of us, marriage is an essential element of our tranquil or not-so-tranquil homelife. Since it’s the season of hearts, candies, flowers, and love, my Valentine’s gift to you is to share four principles that I pray may be an encouragement to you in your marriage.
This timeless marriage speech was of course from the movie the Princess Bride for a marriage (between Prince Humperdinck and Buttercup) that was never to be. The speech-impeded clergyman made a couple of good points, however. Marriage is a blessed arrangement, and one to be treasured.
Continue readingPlanning, Goal Setting, and Resolutions, Oh MY!
Does the thought of planning make you feel weak in the knees? The idea of goal-setting make you feel queasy? And resolutions–are they just a setup for certain failure?
Continue readingSome Thoughts on Peace and Tranquility for 2021
Happy New Year, y’all! After the year that was 2020–I’ve heard so many other metaphors for it, but we’ll just call it a “year”–I let Christmas linger a bit into the new year. (Just got my tree down a couple of days ago!) I’ve been feeling like we all need a little extra dose of the “Peace on Earth, good will towards men,” that the angels were talking about–you know the ones who appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas…?
Peace on Earth??
Speaking of peace on Earth, one of my favorite Christmas carols contains the line, “And in despair I bowed my head. ‘There is no peace on Earth,’ I said. ‘For hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on Earth, good-will to men!’” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these words following personal tragedy as well as during a particularly bleak time in our nation’s history. But how true they ring today… no? HWL’s poem is shockingly relatable! Some days it just seems like the hits just keep on coming and the whole world has gone crazy.
Continue readingThe Antidote for 2020’s Worst Contagion
“If you’ve gots the poison, I’ve gots the remedy…” –Jason Mraz, “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)”
I’m not a glass half-full type of gal. I’m never really sure which is even supposed to be the positive expression (half full or half empty—aren’t there positive and negative connotations in both sayings??). I always say I’m a realist—neither Pollyanna nor Eeyore.
But no matter your outlook, I think we can agree: 2020 has been a rough year. It’s been hard on everyone and disastrous for many.
Q & A’s
So is there a right way to look at this less-than-stellar year? And even if we don’t yet have a vaccine for the dreaded virus, is there an antidote for the woes of 2020?
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