The year-long birthday celebration is still going on, and the present I got this week is hilarious (tho I’m not quite sure if it’s meant to be a coffee cup or a wine glass):
photo © 2015 Simple Felicity
edited with Vintique
Every now and again, I find a movie so sweet and endearing that I know it will make the annual re-watch list. I’m happy to report: I just found two! A friend and I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel last week (and loved it), and we went to see The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel tonight. It was charming and inspiring – definitely the kind of film that makes you take a look at your life and wonder: what will I do with this one amazing life I’ve been given?
One of my favorite blogs in the whole world is Glennon Melton’s Momastery, and the post she wrote this week about grace in the aftermath of an utter fail is absolutely beautiful. My favorite line is: “This is family: With all the apologizing and hugging and crying and forgiving — a place to practice giving and accepting grace.” And so it is – for biological families and friends-as-close-as families alike. Be sure to check out Grace Is Good Enough For Us. It is.
Having so many friends who are parents, I inevitably spend more time reading parenting posts than most single people would, because they share them on Facebook, and I’ll often go for a click-bait title (even though I know enough about social media marketing to see it coming from a mile away.) This one: To The Mean Stranger Who Judged My Parenting Abilities, Thank You – was an incredible read. Even if you’re not a parent, the story of how this woman’s encounter with a stranger actually changed the way she interacts with other people is tremendously thought-provoking, and worth your time.
One more article to share: Three Gifts Your Church Can Glean From The Spiritual But Not Religious. I truly believe it was no accident that a dear friend and mentor sent it my way last night. Twice this week I’ve been asked if I’ve found a new church family yet, and while I know I’m not ready to do that yet, I have really started to wonder about my reticence concerning going to church. This article was a reminder that it’s okay to be where I am right now. And I love the author’s perspective: “Every great moment in the Bible is defined by someone walking away from known reality.” I’d not thought of it that way before, but there is so much truth to her statement. And it gives me hope that there are still great moments ahead for me at some point. It was hope I needed this week.
Another friend asked me today if I felt like the Lord was speaking anything to me in this season. I fight not to feel guilty when I say no to that question. God has seemed so silent so much of the time; am I not asking the right questions, or listening well enough, or doing the right things? These are the questions that bother me in my quieter moments – even tho I know they are not the right questions, nor indicative of anything true. But then I read an article like this, and I realize He is not quite so silent after all. He may not be telling me what I want to hear, but He sends things like this along to remind me: “I see you.”
He has all these millions and millions of people in the world to attend to, and He takes the time to remind me that He sees me. There’s something awe-inspiring, humbling, and amazing about that. He sees me. And He sees you, too. I think it’s possible that someone out there needs to know that today: He sees you. He does. He knows your entire story, He knows what you need, and He is faithful. So hang in there. And keep on keeping on.
And with that, dear ones, I’m going to sign off. My #adventuresinlent experience this week reminded me that once upon a time, I was smart enough to pay attention to when I am tired – and I am. So goodnight! More posts to come next week – a couple are even already in the works.
Have a great weekend!
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