7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 45): fall loveliness and things worth reading

— 1 —

Have you ever just had “one of those weeks” when everything just feels like “too much” (whatever that happens to mean this week)?  Yeah, me too.  This week, actually.

But then I came across this amazing post tonight by my friend Cathy: When we feel overwhelmed and falling behind… and was able to celebrate some returning perspective on the whole thing.  In Cathy’s words: “Humanity with all of its struggle and limits is part of its beauty.”  

Sometimes we really do need to choose “strategic neglect” in relation to some of our tasks in favor of preserving that beauty in our lives.

— 2 —

I love, love, LOVE the visual illustration of the three dimensions of Christ’s infinite love that showed up on Buzzfeed this week from Nathan Pyle: you can check it out here.

— 3 —

On October 21st, We Give Books is hosting a Read For The Record Challenge:

You can show your support for early literacy by logging in at wegivebooks.org and reading Rosemary Wells’ book – Bunny Cakes – online with your kids.  We Give Books provides books to children to who wouldn’t otherwise have access to them, and you can partner with them simply by reading a book with your child online.  How awesome is that?

— 4 —

You would think that last week’s adventure in accidental Smurfy-ness would have proved a cautionary tale.  Not so.  Apparently one washing wasn’t enough for that particular sweatshirt.

Thanks, Neutrogena, for creating a make-up remover cloth that also deals with clothing dye.  Really, I think this might be an untapped market for you…

— 5 —

This is hands-down one of the best articles I’ve read in a long time: When A Pastor Resigns Abruptly: The Snare Of Smugness And Fuzzy Immorality.   While I’d say Mark Driscoll’s resignation this week was probably far from abrupt, I really appreciated John Ortberg’s perspective on the reported situation.  So often within the church we equate “sin” with “sexual immorality” – but Ortberg questions, “When did arrogance cease to be immoral?”

When, indeed.  Where are we excusing pride in our own lives, when we shouldn’t be?

— 6 —

photo courtesy of ©Depositphotos.com / alexraths

I mentioned a few weeks ago that one of my best friends and I are in the midst of a year-long birthday celebration.  Can I just tell you how truly lovely it is?

This morning I got up, and my first thought was “make sure you wrap that present,” and there was so much joy in giving her a gift that I knew would be appreciated.

This evening I got to open my gift for the month a few days early, and it included a candle, scented like Vanilla Chai, with a lovely fall-themed candle holder.  #perfect

Currently my apartment smells like Vanilla Chai, Hazelnut, Red Velvet Cake and Apple Cinnamon.  It’s fall scent heaven here – and I’m totally loving it.  The only things missing from this cozy evening are a good book and a cup of tea – a situation soon to be remedied.

— 7 —

Finally, if you read nothing else this week, please read this post from Sarah Bessey about remembering our true home.

And once you’ve remembered – have a great weekend!  🙂

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!