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Category Archives: Be

Find Eternal Pleasures this Advent

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 So often we look for life outside of God. We seek it in possessions. We seek it in accolades, in success, in career advancement. We may even seekContinue reading “Find Eternal Pleasures this Advent”

Posted byslowingtowonderNovember 27, 2022Posted inBe

Grace and a $168 Bottle of Wine

On June 22, a few years back, I witnessed something rather peculiar. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget—one that I will look back on as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. I was at my local wine shop for a complementary tasting. As usual, I arrived just after it began, wanting to cozy up atContinue reading “Grace and a $168 Bottle of Wine”

Posted byslowingtowonderOctober 16, 2022November 11, 2022Posted inBe

Being A People Who Pause

While on a walk, my husband and I stopped to take a look at the view of the mountains we could catch between the trees and buildings nearby. On that particular day, the weather, the season, the lighting . . . all these details made that familiar view unique. We decided, in that moment, thatContinue reading “Being A People Who Pause”

Posted byslowingtowonderJuly 2, 2022November 12, 2022Posted inBe

Embracing the Familiar

Comparison far too frequently steals our joy. It’s difficult to avoid, as we compare in all areas of life: with our careers, our belongings, our opportunities (or lack thereof), perhaps even our relationships. Even just one of these areas, or another, can be a bear to reckon with on a daily basis. And when weContinue reading “Embracing the Familiar”

Posted byslowingtowonderApril 16, 2022November 12, 2022Posted inBe

A Study in Lichen

I believe poets are instruments on which the power of poetry plays. But they are also makers, craftsmen: It is given to the seer to see, but it is then his responsibility to communicate what he sees, that they who cannot see may see, since we are “members one of another.” Denise Levertov It became brandedContinue reading “A Study in Lichen”

Posted byslowingtowonderJanuary 29, 2022November 12, 2022Posted inBe1 Comment on A Study in Lichen

Choosing to Rejoice

I was hoping to have something rather inspiring or encouraging to say at the start of this new year. That’s what everyone wants and expects, isn’t it? New year. Fresh start. A time for resolutions, starting again, revisiting and assessing hopes and dreams, perhaps. But I find myself weighed down by comparison and envy. Ick.Continue reading “Choosing to Rejoice”

Posted byslowingtowonderJanuary 2, 2022January 1, 2022Posted inBe

The Posture of Advent

It seems that every year I intend to “do Advent better,” and year after year I fail. What I mean is that I typically end up feeling like I haven’t engaged the season intentionally enough. Each year I an excited to live into Advent well, and then look into the rearview mirror wondering what happened.Continue reading “The Posture of Advent”

Posted byslowingtowonderDecember 19, 2021December 15, 2021Posted inBe

Teatime

Not long ago, I discovered that “teatime” is one word. Why had I not known this? I mean, I had said the words “tea” and “time” together countless times before, but I would have written it as “tea time.” I had even been practicing this lovely rhythm without having the proper linguistic understanding. There isContinue reading “Teatime”

Posted byslowingtowonderDecember 12, 2021December 11, 2021Posted inBe

Envy? Or Gratitude?

I find it odd that at times I can be incredibly grateful for something that another person has written, said, created, or done. Other times, however, I find myself envious that I didn’t think of that thing first—that I wasn’t the one chosen or ordained to make that particular contribution. And I can vacillate fromContinue reading “Envy? Or Gratitude?”

Posted byslowingtowonderNovember 21, 2021November 20, 2021Posted inBe1 Comment on Envy? Or Gratitude?

Flannel Sheets + Shifting with the Seasons

Having come back from a short trip back to the midwest to a near freeze, it dawned on me that our bed was still clad in its airy spring and summer garb. Don’t get me wrong, the down comforter is there year-round. I always like to have some weight on me when I’m sleeping. ButContinue reading “Flannel Sheets + Shifting with the Seasons”

Posted byslowingtowonderOctober 17, 2021October 16, 2021Posted inBe
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