On Sowing in Hope
...And other best practices for living
Yesterday, I conversed with a postal worker with my bra strapped to my face. She stood safely behind her plexiglass shield, and I smiled at her with my eyes, as she admired my make-shift face mask and told me she’d like to make one like it for herself. We both chuckled at the playfulness, and simultaneous strangeness of it.
(See exhibit A. homemade vintage Victoria’s Secret face mask, 🤷🏻♀️)
These are weird, hard times. Humor helps.
Speaking of weird, two days ago, in the span of 12 hours, our temperature plummeted to the 20’s, we had sleet, snow, rain and sun. It was terribly confusing. The month of April feels like it is just one long, overplayed April Fool’s joke-gone-awry right now.
Anyhoo—
I’ve got a few fun things to share with you to help encourage your heart this weekend, so without further delay, here are some of the things keeping me going these days:
Songland. 🎶This is probably the very best thing on TV right now. It’s fun, it’s brilliant (seriously genius!), it’s creative and the teamwork makes this dream WORK.🙌🏼 Every episode reminds me of the creativity God gifted to humans, and makes me thank Him for it. As a writer and people person, I love the collaborative work between the songwriters. It’s generous, intentional and honestly, just a delight.
SomeGoodNews with John Krasinski. I am limiting my news intake these days, on account of the creeping anxiety trying to make its home in my chest, and this is the antidote to the 24-hour bad news cycle. Only good news shared here, and I am here for it. Every episode makes me cry—but at least these tears are liquid joy.
And while we’re talking about joy—the Spring issue of The Cultivating Project released this week and I am so taken by it, I don’t know how to fully express what a feast it is.
“History is stained edge to edge by our trying. The Light we need and long for can only ever be received. It is given. But there is a mysterious paradox to this Light- this Life. It is given but it must also be chosen. It must be received.”
~Lancia E. Smith, founder and visionary of The Cultivating Project
With so much goodness it’s hard to know where to begin, but I’d recommend you start HERE, and then perhaps read Matthew Clark’s Dear Friend letter, followed by K.C. Ireton’s, Anxious No More. Refill your cuppa and come back for Matthew Cyr’s, Still Growing, and Tresta Payne’s, Stay Awake To Goodness, and my article, We Sow In Hope.
These are a few recommendations, but I hope you’ll make time for the entire issue. It is a balm, friends. And I don’t know a soul among us right now, who doesn’t need a little salve for their hurting hearts.
Good Reads
Peace Like A River, Leif Enger
This Too Shall Last, K.J. Ramsey (Coming soon)
Reconnect: Spiritual Restoration from Digital Distraction, Ed Cyzewski (Coming soon)
Everything Is Yours, How Giving God Your Whole Heart Changes Your Whole Life, yours truly
For All Who Wander: Why Knowing God Is Better than Knowing It All, Robin Dance
Things to do
The Brave Artists Club. This come out of some friends of The Rabbit Room and looks like a whole lot of fun with some of my very favorite artists. I’ve registered for it, and look forward to whatever they’re bringing to this table.
Everything Is Yours Book Club. I’m hosting this beginning May 1, and for now, I’m offering this intimate, interactive, deep-dive into the book and the related themes for FREE. Signups are already underway, and will be closing soon. Buy the book, and get yourself registered. This is going to be rich.
Art Classes from Jeanne Oliver. I just purchased a class from Jeanne and look forward to spending a little time each week working on the material. Between the free courses and paid courses offered on her site, you’ve got options.
Immanuel Journaling Small Groups hosted by Rev. Summer Joy Gross. (Registration closes midnight tonight—select the Spiritual Direction Group Member option) This small group is “Processing the emotions of life WITH God and alongside other members.” <slow, happy exhale>
*Whew*
That’s a lot of linky-love for you, my friends! I pray your weekend is full of LIGHT and that in the midst of this strange, difficult season, you plant yourself firmly in the unchanging, constant love of the Father, who holds all things together.
“These strange days have me wondering if, perhaps, our work is simpler than we make it out to be. Maybe, all that is required of us is attentiveness, is presence, is acknowledgement of what is, and Who is holding all things.” (“We Sow In Hope”, Kris Camealy for The Cultivating Project)
“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow;
You greatly enrich it;
The stream of God is full of water;
You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth.”
~ Psalm 65:9
In Him,
Kris