In the current season of my life, I feel like I have learned one thing more than any other.
I have learned to be grateful.
Over the past few months, nearly everything in my life has changed at one level or another. Even the things that are the same (my marriage, my kids, many of my friendships), have evolved somewhat, weathered the major changes and emerged more fully developed than they previously had been.
This has very little to do with the fact that Thanksgiving is this week; it has everything to do with the current stage and condition of my life.
My family is stronger. My friendships are deeper. My vision for my own calling in life is more hopeful than ever. I have received more encouragement and support than I ever thought possible.
Many of the fruits of this season began to ripen during the past month.
For one thing, we had The Collective. Just when I had started to really doubt my own calling, so many people drove out to Roanoke on a cold Thursday night and reminded me what it feels like to engage in a conversation about God and life and reality. The people who gathered together that night gave me such a gift of hope and encouragement, and that is a gift that I will never be able to repay.
Also, it was about a month ago that I set out to maintain daily blog. I have learned that it is no small challenge to generate a new blog post five days a week. That said, it has been a fun challenge, and I’m hoping to keep up that pace as best as possible.
So thank you for reading, for commenting, and for sharing.
Now we are preparing for The Next Thing—a gathering on December 8 to discuss a new kind of community, participating in a new kind of conversation.
Here is the list of this month’s posts, listed from most popular to least popular-
3. “How I’m Learning to Enjoy My Life”
4. “Children Deserve a Safe Place”
5. “On Forcing Myself to Make New Friends”
6. “Bruce Springsteen is My Pastor”
7. “The Day After the Collective (Selah)”
8. “What Forgiveness Really Is (Part 2 of 2)"
10. “Adoption as Resurrection” (or “What an Adopted Baby Can Teach Us About Jesus”)
11. “There is a Place for Us” (by guest blogger Katie McKown)
13. "A Remodeled House, The Munsters, and the Human Spirit"
14. “How Solitude is Good for the Soul”
15. “Rob Bell, Pete Holmes, and the Element of Surprise”
Also, I have put together a Recommended Reading List for anyone looking for new books to read. I will continue to add to this list from time to time, so check back if you love to read!
I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving holiday.
Grace and peace be with you.