Monday Musings ... stories

Do you enjoy listening to a captivating story? Or maybe you delight in sharing a memorable story from your life. Whether we listen or tell stories, stories are a part of our human DNA. Stories are a part of our everyday life,  is simply inescapable

When a friend, family member, or a celebrity dies, we  begin to hear  and share stories about their life. We listen to others as they share the impact this person had on their life. Maybe it was an encouraging word,  a story about a warning, loss, or a victory.

"Stories are the primary tools of learning and teaching the repositories of our lore and legends. They bring order into our confusing world.  Think about how many times a day you use stories to pass along data, insights,  memories or common-sense advice."
Edward Miller, founder of Edward Elementary, illustrator and product designer

Millions of people in America and around the world are listening to many stories about the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant and his daughter.  In addition, we await to hear about the lives of the others who perished in the crash. So many stories ... so much sorrow.

Tears ...

I am shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of my friend. We were praying and hoping that she would recover and return home. My comfort tonight  ... remembering legacy and her love for the LORD Jesus.

Tears ... 

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love."
Washington Irving.

Monday Musings

Are you enjoying the remaining days of June? Have you taken time to watch fireflies at night, drink freshly squeezed lemonade, savor long summer nights, and enjoy conversation with family and friends?

 For our family, it has been a month of  sharp differences. Joyous celebrations have been mingled together with grief. We have joined others as we shared a toast at a wedding and an engagement party. We have enjoyed parties, picnics, and a movie night. It has been an amazing month full so many ups and downs.  

Suffering has also been a part of this month. We are praying that God would comfort a church family who are grief stricken at the recent passing of a young wife and mother. We are offering words of comfort to a family friend whose oldest brother has entered hospice.  One friend is enduring the sudden passing of a 10-year-old cousin. A drunk driver killed her this weekend.

Then we enter a collective space of national grief as we endure another mass shooting. People across our nation are saddened by this tragic loss of life.

Life is a glorious mixture of laughter, tears, celebrations, and memorials. When everything in our life may tumble and shake, when we trust God, we may experience peace in the midst of pain.