What’s Saving My Life
Miracles that keep reminding me — it’ll be okay, keep going, you are here
A hazy mist followed my friends and I into the vast forest of Redwoods at John Muir National Monument. A hush fell over each of us as we breathed deeply and looked upwards. Sunlight broke through in patches across the canopy of leaves. A chorus of animals made their presence known while a flowing stream pulsed through the forest floor.
Silence and awe descended upon us. One of my friends turned to me, “Isn’t it great to feel so small.” I nodded. I felt it too. There as we looked up at the majestic Redwoods we were surrounded by history, life, and years of growth. The trees stood long before we entered the world and would outlive each of us. I didn’t have many words, but each step and breath contained a prayer.
Basking in the presence of these trees, I felt calm. Peace. That anything was possible.
Not unlike those giant Redwoods, my days are full of miracles that keep reminding me — it’ll be okay, keep going, you are here.
In this spirit of miracles and vastness and God’s expansive love for all creation, I want to share a list of what’s saving my life in this season. These are in no particular order and they range from little luxuries to the anchoring practices of my days. My prayer is that this list helps you see the beauty before you and feel deep in your bones the miracle of being right here in your very own lives.
An Open Calendar
For much of late fall and now winter, our schedule has been more open. We’re done with cheerleading and soccer. The kids do take horse lessons and we have one therapy appointment a week, but much of our days have a vast spaciousness to them. This looks like lingering at the dinner table with a Bible story and conversation. It means more books to read together. It means playing a game of UNO or putting a puzzle together. Ultimately, this space looks like presence and togetherness.
Trivia and Book Club
I look forward to these standing dates every month. Our monthly book club gatherings seem to be getting longer as we’ve grown together and deepened our relationships. Yes, we talk about the books we’ve read, but we also share what’s on our hearts about life, work, and family. Trivia also brings lots of laughter, random knowledge, and a chance to have uninterrupted conversation.
Morning Quiet Time
Waking up before the kids is a life-line for my days. With hot coffee by my side and a host of books, I take time to read and write. I sit and listen. I pray. I give thanks for another day. I’m currently loving This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley, In Which I Try to Save the World by
, and ’s books: Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way. When the kids wake up they know where to find me and I pray they see the gifts of taking time for rest, reading, and prayer.Heated Blanket
The current outside temperature is -8. I think that speaks to the need to be wrapped in my heated blanket with my morning coffee, journal, and a book.
Sherlock and Lars
There’s nothing like the feel of our cat, Sherlock, snuggled against my leg or on my chest while I’m reading. We can’t imagine our lives without this cat who made her way into our hearts by taking shelter in our garage a year ago. Most days when I’m typing in the office, she jumps on my desk and settles her body between my computer and the window. It seems both of us are drawn to the light and warmth. And of course, I have to mention our dog, Lars. He’s been with us since we first moved to Cole Camp almost 12 years ago, and we feel like we’re on borrowed time with this sweet soul.
Sunrise
When I walk to the kitchen in the morning, hints of pink filter through the windows. By the time the kids are awake I’m yelling for everyone to look outside and see the rays of light cresting over the horizon. Each morning, bathed in light, I trust that God’s mercies are new.
Cole Camp Elementary
I adore our town’s elementary school — the energy, the love, the creativity, and the joy. I find myself drawn to being there and sharing my time and gifts. Now that I’ve been subbing in the school I have a deeper appreciation for the work of our schools. Every day teachers and staff show up to love our kiddos and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Books
When I look back at this time raising my kids, I’ll always give thanks for the time we spent reading together. Whether it’s around the dinner table with the Bible, in the morning before school for just one more chapter, snuggled on the coach with a stack of picture books, or reading in bed, the stories we read together have become a part of us. We’re in the season of both picture books and chapter books. I love immersing ourselves in a longer story and joining the same characters night after night. I love being transported to different worlds and introducing my kids to a diversity of experiences and thoughts through books.
Our Local Library
Where would we be without libraries? Cole Camp is so lucky to have a library in town with fun programming for kids and adults. I love watching Charlotte search for books on the computer and request them herself. Isaac likes to sit on the floor flipping through Guinness Book of World Record books.
Snail Mail
I can’t resist new stationary and fancy pens. There’s something about writing by hand that makes me feel more connected to the friends I write. I still have every letter written to me during my time in the Peace Corps and I vividly remember the jarring feeling coming home and realizing that I felt more connected to those friends through letters than when I had technology and social media at my fingertips. Now the kids and I will sit at the table and write letters. Isaac likes to draw pictures and Charlotte loves using different color markers to write to her various penpals. Together we’re sending hope and love into the world, one letter at a time.
Readers
Finally, I’m so grateful for you — readers and friends and those who keep showing up to my words. Thank you for being here and sharing my work and reaching out to say my words met you. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going. As I write and dream and wonder what my writing ministry will look like in the years ahead, I know one thing — I couldn’t do it without you.
I’d love to know: What’s saving your life right now?
// Looking for more inspiration? My friend
shares her list of what’s saving her life. And my friend shares the books that have saved her life over the years. One more from on what’s saving her life.
This is so wonderful!
Love this! Things saving my life: also having a pretty open schedule for my kids, some great books I’ve listened to and read to my kids, leaning hard into fun as a family to counter some seriously high waves in our lives right now. We’ve done some fun excursions and activities and made happy memories that I hope will be what my kids remember most about this time instead of the hard parts.