So many of your newsletter words have resonated with me. But today I was overwhelmed at how well you captured this heartrending season, "wading through the thick muck of some difficult relational dynamics with a couple of people I love right now". I've no idea which way to go or what to do at this point. But I'm comforted a bit that others are traveling this way too. I hope your muck resolves itself and that you find respite and hot tea when needed.
I really love this. I hate seeing people gather their leaves into bags to be thrown into the trash when they could be left to nature. There is something about witnessing the true death and rebirth that God shows us in nature with each season.
Jeff , Thank you so much for these thoughts. I love this time of year when the leaves change color and fall to the ground. But I tend to want to compare it to things in my life that I need to let go of as the trees let go of the leaves. I want to compare it to the new growth that will happen for the tree with new growth in my life. I make something beautiful complicated and intense. Thank you for the reminder “to just let it be what it is”
Today, that feels right. Sometimes it’s just good to say, “That’s enough.” I am enough
Thank you this Jeff. And thank you for the sermon from Riverside Church. If you have a moment please check out "Sermons from the National Cathedral: Soundings for the Journey." Samuel Lloyd. Beautiful reading. I am a movie guy and I can often equate many of my life moments to a scene in a film. Your conversation with Nate Stuckey on beauty made me think of this from American Beauty. "I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world – I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in." It's a struggle these days but I manage to eke out a moment each day. Finally, never apologize for adding cheese. The last time I did that; well, was like never. Bon appetit.
Such a picture you paint of your neighborhood. And, I jumped to my own metaphor before you told me to wait with the continued flourishing of the fallen leaves as we near All Saints Day. I needed that thought to remind me of how I continue to be strengthened with those who have gone. And I thank you (and Nate) for telling me it is enough to sit and remember their beauty. But remind me again in a few months.
May peace seep into your soul the way the cold silence that fills winter evenings seeps into one's psyche. May you be saturated in love and grace.
~~~~~
Also, the story of the kid with the leaf-blower reminded me... my elementary-age kids have been using the leaf blower to spin them on the tree swing. Hilarious, innocent play. :)
So many of your newsletter words have resonated with me. But today I was overwhelmed at how well you captured this heartrending season, "wading through the thick muck of some difficult relational dynamics with a couple of people I love right now". I've no idea which way to go or what to do at this point. But I'm comforted a bit that others are traveling this way too. I hope your muck resolves itself and that you find respite and hot tea when needed.
I really love this. I hate seeing people gather their leaves into bags to be thrown into the trash when they could be left to nature. There is something about witnessing the true death and rebirth that God shows us in nature with each season.
Jeff , Thank you so much for these thoughts. I love this time of year when the leaves change color and fall to the ground. But I tend to want to compare it to things in my life that I need to let go of as the trees let go of the leaves. I want to compare it to the new growth that will happen for the tree with new growth in my life. I make something beautiful complicated and intense. Thank you for the reminder “to just let it be what it is”
Today, that feels right. Sometimes it’s just good to say, “That’s enough.” I am enough
Thank you this Jeff. And thank you for the sermon from Riverside Church. If you have a moment please check out "Sermons from the National Cathedral: Soundings for the Journey." Samuel Lloyd. Beautiful reading. I am a movie guy and I can often equate many of my life moments to a scene in a film. Your conversation with Nate Stuckey on beauty made me think of this from American Beauty. "I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world – I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in." It's a struggle these days but I manage to eke out a moment each day. Finally, never apologize for adding cheese. The last time I did that; well, was like never. Bon appetit.
Such a picture you paint of your neighborhood. And, I jumped to my own metaphor before you told me to wait with the continued flourishing of the fallen leaves as we near All Saints Day. I needed that thought to remind me of how I continue to be strengthened with those who have gone. And I thank you (and Nate) for telling me it is enough to sit and remember their beauty. But remind me again in a few months.
May peace seep into your soul the way the cold silence that fills winter evenings seeps into one's psyche. May you be saturated in love and grace.
~~~~~
Also, the story of the kid with the leaf-blower reminded me... my elementary-age kids have been using the leaf blower to spin them on the tree swing. Hilarious, innocent play. :)