critical thinking. . . or critical spirit
Why did the pastor say that? Doesn’t he know that’s offensive?
I think the Bible says we should do it this way.
That’s not the way I see it. What about you?
These and many other questions came from an acquaintance over time. She was questioning the way things were done, wondering if there was a better way. It wasn’t about my church, but church as a whole.
I thought it was important to listen. We talked. I shared my viewpoint. We looked into scripture.
But over time the questions changed. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
7:35 pm |
Hands full in a good way
September 5, 2011 | Just me
You may notice that I’m not blogging as consistently these past few days as I normally do, but there’s a good reason. Her name is Elle.
On the way to church w/Gramma
I’m hanging out with 13-month old Elle just for some special one-on-one Gramma time for a week. As someone who ministers to moms, it’s a great reminder of how amazing and how hard this job is.
Right now there is a pile of spaghetti and peas around the floor (pitched from the high chair), toys and books have taken over the living room, and a pile of dirty diapers are mounting in the trash can. Because a week is a super long time away from her favorite people in the world, Elle’s favorite place is on Gramma’s hip. So, we do everything in tandem.
I will blog, but sometimes life is more important, and that’s a blog post all on its own. Elle’s smiles, her kisses, and even those moments when she’s not happy and everyone knows it, is a memory that I don’t want to miss.
Posted by Suzie @
5:20 am |
happy life to me
September 1, 2011 | Just me
Today is my birthday. 52 years old.
Some people think you shouldn’t share your age. That it might make you look old. Except for that I love every day of life that I have been given. It’s a gift.
This is not only birthday, but it’s another important date. This month I celebrate 20 years as a breast cancer survivor.
Twenty years ago I sat in a hospital room with my young husband. I was mom to three little kids. I had no clue that the next sentence would completely alter my life, and that of my family.
“You have cancer and it’s mestasized,” they said.
I received survival odds from a high of 40% to a bleak low of 10% of surviving 5 years — after chemo, radiation, and two invasive life altering surgeries.
That’s why today is such a gift. I celebrate not just my birthday, but life! (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
2:18 pm |
TY Catelynn
Don’t watch it, someone said.
But I did. Holding baby Luke on my chest, his little body warm and heavy, I watched an episode of Teen Mom.
And as the program unfolded, I found tears running down my face.
I cried for Catelynn, the too-young-momma whose own mother called her names that should never be spoken by a mom. I watched as Catelynn comforted the adults in her life who should have comforted her.
So backwards. So very, very backwards. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:35 am |
little things
August 8, 2011 | Just me
It’s only a dress. One of my favorites because of the bright colors and funky designs. But only a dress.
- Y in her new dress! Isn’t’ she beautiful?
When I found out that a clothing swap had cropped up for She Speaks, I was excited. It was a great idea. So many do not have the funds to go out and buy new clothes for a conference or for a speaking event, and someone had offered their room as a “closet”. One after another started offering things: a necklace, a pair of shoes, a jacket.
When I travel I use a carry-on. It’s more affordable with the $25 or $35 fees each way, but my carry-on was packed! I was coming in on Tuesday and leaving on Sunday and was carrying not only clothing and personal items, but my computer and workshop notes.
That’s when I saw the coral dress. My favorite.
But again, only a dress.
I wavered. Maybe I should choose another. But no. I felt the Lord saying, “this one”.
It was perfect to roll into a ball (it doesn’t wrinkle) and tuck in the small remaining corner of my carry-on. And away we flew to She Speaks.
Just this week I received an email from a sweet new friend. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:29 am |
Choices
Last night I slammed into a brick wall of worry. Crazy, isn’t it? Since I just wrote about “worry less”. But that’s what can happen. We know the truth. We trust in God, and yet the reality of a situation hits hard and worry creeps in.
It tried to rob me of sleep. It tried to rob a loved one of joy.
Truth time. Time to remind myself of who God is. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
2:37 pm |
