day 10: as surely as the sun

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Let us know the LORD; let us press on to know him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.

– Hosea 6:3

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

– Micah 6:8

These two verses are helping me find a way through today. Thankful for Jesus, who is as sure as the sun. And thankful he laid out for us what it means to walk with him. Pressing in to that today.

Happy (almost) weekend, friends.

……………

I know we’re all in different places right now, but let’s lean in to one another. Whatever you’re going through, what’s helping you process, and find a way through these days?

day 9: neighborhood coffee

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This was my view Tuesday morning at the neighborhood coffee shop. I took this photo around 8am, and you would’ve thought it was mid-morning the way the coffee shop was buzzing. People working on laptops, reading novels, groups of friends chatting to the background of folk music and the friendly hellos of the baristas.

It’s the kind of place where you become a regular – where they know your name, and already have your small drip coffee going as they see you walk in the door. It’s filled with friendly faces, hellos, comfy leather couches, handmade wooden tables and a pretty impressive deer mount. It’s a place focused on fostering community, and you feel like family when you walk in.

I’ve read books, prepared for job interviews, met friends, had work meetings and wrote stories at this coffee shop. It’s part of the fabric of my life, weaving in and out of my days. Sweet memories have been created here. I’ve always wanted to be a regular somewhere, and I’m thankful for places like this that comfort, that feel like home.

in which i light a candle

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Today is rainy and dreary in Austin. For me, today, that fits.

I’ve been struggling to find words all day, but each time I try to go there the lump in my throat rises, and the tears begin to flow again.

The only words that have come to mind: grief, lament.

I do not write this assuming I know how you feel. The last thing I want to do today is project how I’m feeling on you. Not today, not in a time where we desperately need to listen, to see each other, to find some common ground to stand on.

But for me, today is for grief.

I believe with all of my heart that God is still on this throne. He is not surprised by voting results, nor is he threatened. He is Light, and He has already overcome the darkness. I believe that in the very core of my being. I believe that the church – the true followers of Jesus – have a great opportunity, and I believe we will rise up and love.

But, I cannot ignore the deep ache in my soul today and I’m struggling to find a way through – as a believer, as a woman, as an American.

Because I also believe that Jesus fiercely loves the outcast, the marginalized, the oppressed. I cannot begin to imagine what today might be like for people of color, my friends and family in the LGBTQ community, Muslim-Americans, immigrants and refugees, or women who have been abused and pushed aside. But, I want you to know that I see you, I hurt with you, I love you. The convictions I have, that so many of us have, about the value of all humanity aren’t going away simply because someone was elected President and someone else wasn’t. I am with you.

So this morning, I did the only thing I knew to do when I can’t find words. I lit a candle for us, and I prayed.

……………..

I am deeply thankful for strong women of God in leadership, especially in times like these. I read a few things today that I wanted to share, in case they help you find your way through as well.

In Which I Dare Not Tell You How To Feel This Morning – Emily Freeman

This is the Guaranteed Outcome of the Election – Michael Wear

Love to you, friends.