So many worlds, so many lives… Living on mission.

How was your week?

Being surrounded by people on mission is a great reminder of all the good in the world. It was a very good week.

It began with sitting down for lunch to celebrate the birthday of someone very close to me. We celebrated the day of her entry into this world ninety three years ago. The struggle, the challenges, the triumph, the life of 93 years is one to appreciate and admire. May I be like this precious soul when I am ninety three. A soul that loves life by being with others, playing cards, exercising on the elliptical machine, and sharing her faith. A life on purpose.

It was a week getting to know the challenges my dear friend has made to stand as a Jewish clergy woman. Her stand for woman’s person-hood and the struggle for equal treatment has opened the door for a voice not heard by many. From a Reform clergy woman, to a Reform Cantor, to a Reform Rabbi living in the US. Living on purpose breeds strength and perseverance.

There was a day to sit and plan for scholarship opportunities for youth going off to college. Youth from communities that others may blast as lacking the wherewithal to succeed. It was another opportunity to be with someone living on purpose to show that her people are very capable and willing to succeed.

There was time to set another memory with my husband. We enjoyed a local performance of Guys and Dolls. A well performed rendition of the Broadway hit. A 1950 story that highlights the intersection of two worlds. The world of Sarah Brown, the leader of the Save-a Soul Mission, who’s mission is to save sinners and her encounter with Sky Masterson, who’s mission is to take a gamble and bet on anything.

An interesting epiphany occurred while watch this performance. The character Adelaide sings a song in her nightclub act. I sing the first few lines of this song to my grandchildren- A Bushel and a Peck. It is quite interesting the things in my head, that come out of my mouth, and I have no idea it’s origin.

And the days began again on Sunday- Mother’s Day, It is a time to reflect on my assignment in this world. Have I provided the space for my children to be in this world and explore all the lives around them. Have I embraced my neighbor as myself. Have I reached the epiphany of a God that so loves the world he gave his only begotten son. Am I living my life on purpose?

I am seen from afar, everyday.

The purpose to love God with all my heart, and to love others the same. I am walking the walk on purpose to see others as God sees.

I am grateful for all the lives that spent time with me this week. You have helped me live my life with purpose. May I contribute as those around me have in their walk on mission in this world.

Always grateful,

I used my washing machine. Contemplating top load or front load…

For reason that began years ago, I am not the one that usually does the laundry. Recently, we purchased a new washer/dryer set. A major shift from top load to a front load. I realized I had not thought this completely through when it occurred to me, once the front load starts, there’s no going back to add the few things I forgot to add.

Here’s some practical information for your consideration:

Top-Load Washers:    Loading: Clothes are loaded from the top.

Washing Action: Use an agitator (a central post with paddles) or an impeller (a lower-profile cone) to move clothes and stir water.

Pros: Faster cycle times, easier to load and unload (especially for those with back problems), often more affordable.

Cons: Use more water and energy, may be less gentle on clothes.

Maintenance: Generally easier to maintain, less prone to mold and mildew.

Front-Load Washers:    Loading: Clothes are loaded from the front.

Washing Action: Clothes are tumbled in a rotating drum, using less water and friction to clean.

Pros: More energy-efficient, use less water, gentler on clothes, can be stacked with a dryer.

Cons: Slower cycle times, may require more maintenance to prevent mold and mildew, can be more difficult to load and unload. Maintenance: Require more frequent cleaning to prevent mold and mildew buildup.

In the moment, I sat in front of the washer and watched the clothes being cleansed. The slow rise of the water. The soft sound of the water tumbling through the clothes. The suds mixing in and the process of using less friction by tumbling versus the agitation that comes with the top load.

May is Mental Health Awareness. Yesterday was spent in Philadelphia, the town of brotherly love, at the summit to kick off the National Conference for Mental Wellbeing. As we navigated the streets from the parking garage to the convention center, there were multiple streets blocked off by police cars, for reasons unknown to us. The question I ask myself… are you well? Am I being agitated by the things of this world or being gently tumbled by the grace of God.

The agitation of the top load, all the thoughts that wander through the brain can be much easier to load and harder to unload if not cleansed with daily reflection. But the transparency of front load, being open for all the world to see, can be equally troubling if I do not take the time clean the mold and mildew that sits on the heart.

So, as I complete my reading of 1 John, may I remember there will be times when I may sin but I am cleansed in the knowledge that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. “And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”

SO the answer to my question, am I well? Yes, I am well from the top load of my mind, to the front load of my soul, to the bottom of my feet that walk this earth. As I wander in this world my mental wellbeing is in the peace and grace of the Lord, his cleansing word, and the Spirit

that guides me toward repentance and away from the storms.

I end with my daily reflection, keep yourself clean.

Always grateful,

Zoe- Is it just a name or a way of being?

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day in the small town of Kensington. Hundreds of people came out for the Kensington Day of the Book. There were close to two hundred authors spanning the gamut of fiction, non-fiction, fantasy to political discourse.

We began the day in prayer not knowing what the results would be for my four foot table space, mapped as 35A. I met authors and learned of their story. I watched as those around me engaged in small talk about their book. I watched as phones came out to accept a tap from the ubiquitous card that verifies your presence at the festival. I watched and waited for verification that space 35A would also be one that would connect with others.

The presence at the Day of the Book Festival…. bring words of fantasy, hope, entertainment, life changing transformation, or some meaningful way to connect with the soul of others.

Earlier in the week, there was a different event. Not outside in the sun of the day but the same mission of those that came out to offer hope, perseverance, and resilience. It was the Family and Trauma Institute conference. There were shared stories of healing, shared stories of perseverance, and shared stories of hope.

What does Zoe have to do with all of this? Zoe is not just a name, it is a way of living. It is living life to the fullest, finding happiness in the happening.

As I watched and waited to connect and open my phone to see the “tap” or “insert card”, there were moments of uncertainty. But I did not despair or become sad in the success happening around me. There was confidence in the prayer my husband and I began the day with together, standing on the ground of space 35A. Your will be done, Lord.

Within the last hour, my God showed up. Within the last minute, and seconds, my Lord showed up with his promise- Trust in me and your cup will be overflowing. The table was folded, the books were put away, then boom, sales came. The books came back out, the card reader flashed it’s four green lights and the phone instructed, “place the card horizontally”.

This morning, a song was in my head. It was resonating from a beautiful conversation with a wonderful lady on Saturday morning. One of those that keeps repeating until I play it out load. It is my song today- It’s Gonna Be a Good Day, no matter what they say.

What an awesome God we serve. Zoe is more than a name, it is living life to the fullest. It is finding happiness in the happening. It is resting in the joy and promises of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Always grateful,

A Montage of Encouragement

Whatever you plan to do. Do as unto the LORD.

It has been a week of great reflection and joy to know we have a loving God that encourages us through his word. May we continue to press on in all we are called to do.

This week is a little different for me. But all I have is God’s word. Less of me and more of him.

Even when things don’t go as planned, like embedding the link to a YouTube short I created. I thought it was good to go until someone told me it was private. Oh well, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. I have learned how to make it public.

Learning to be creative is fun!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

You were born to create. What will you create today?

Always grateful,

Life as a dichotomy~Are we living it from the inside or outside?

This is such an exciting season. In one conversation this week, a wise person reminded me that we know life continues by the budding of the trees. What a wonderful thought to ponder.

Regardless of my internal thoughts, be they happy thoughts, sad thoughts, or thoughts of uncertainty and doubt, life continues to bloom all around me. Her shared words of wisdom was timely and a great reminder to take a look at all the life happening all around me.

Earlier in the week, there was a slight disagreement with a very close friend. I tend to harbor thoughts on how the conversation could have played out. But these thoughts always come after the fact.

While in my thoughts, from my kitchen door, I stood and watched all the life happening outside of me. There were budding tree branches blowing in the wind, and as I listened to a song that sang of the goodness of God, I found peace in my thoughts.

So, as I began this week of another day of Spring, I rejoice in this wonderful life. Living it from the inside out and the outside in.

May I never forget, the season of the resurrected LORD who lived from the inside out. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, he spoke of the dichotomy of life and love. He speaks to us with the obedient words to the Father, as told in John 12:27.

“Now my soul is troubled. What should I say- Father save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father glorify your name.“

This is a wonderful season. A season of living in the world, yet not of it. A season of nakedness and new life. A season of obedience and life. A season of eternal love.

This is a season to remember, we know life continues by the budding of the trees and the resurrected Christ.

Always grateful,