Spiritual Reflections

In Spiritual Reflections

Pass the Sweet Potatoes and A word of Kindness

"There is a hunger beyond food that's expressed in food, and that's why feeding is always a kind of miracle."* Did you know that Americans will consume over 51 million turkeys, 2.4 billion pounds of sweet potatoes, and 7.5 million barrels of cranberries this Thanksgiving? And yet, even after that last bite

November 22, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

Gratitude for the Small Things

I have always tried my best to find joy in the small things! When life challenges, this can be difficult, but even the more necessary! It's the "mini-joys" that have this mysterious way of turning a frown upside down, elevating the ordinary, and sprinkling a little grace over the rougher edges

November 16, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

To endure is to prevail

"We rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint." -Letter to the Romans Part of what we are called to do here on earth is to endure. And if we have the courage to endure whatever life

November 2, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

Did you miss the eagle, too?

This Summer I was jogging alongside the Snake River in Wyoming. I passed an aging cowboy, his worn boots propped up on a split log, a smoking pipe dangling from his chin, and a steaming cup of joe by his side. I thought I heard him mumble something under his

October 12, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

Have you Sabbathed Lately?

"When was the last time you Sabbathed?" I have a confession. I’m not a good “sabbath-keeper.” As a child growing up in the Blue Law South, everything; the movie theater, restaurants, grocery and liquor stores were all closed on Sunday in observance of the Sabbath. There was nothing to do but rest.

September 21, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

A Collector of Hearts

A collector of Hearts--an epitaph to be remembered by. I have always loved all things in the shape of a heart. You could say I'm drawn to hearts. Several years ago two of my closest friends, myself and now happily my daughter Elise began hunting for hearts. We have a beautiful

September 12, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

Don’t be a Tourist in Your Own Life

Did you know that you can actually do Yellowstone in 24 hours? I have the photos to prove it: Old Faithful and the other geysers, the Waterfall and canyons, herds of bison and elk, bear prints, moose crossings, eagle sitings, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Pringles. We even

September 7, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

Year of 39

"We all want to know why we are here. What is our mission in life? Those people who know it are easy to spot: Their lives shine with meaning." -Caroline Myss Year of 39--that is what I called this past year of my life. I know everyone says that age is just

August 24, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

The Heart Beneath the Brushstrokes

A friend recently gave me a sage piece of advice, "Remember, everyone suffers from a broken heart." My background is in art history, and I'll never forget standing in awe before Da Vinci's, Mona Lisa at the Louvre, furiously taking notes and photographs. The Professor said, "A memorable portrait reveals a depth beyond

June 22, 2014

In Spiritual Reflections

99 Names for God

This past week I met a young man from Jordan who introduced me to the dhikir, a form of meditative prayer where one recites aloud or silently the 99 sacred names of God. Thumbing his prayer beads, I watched as my new friend remembered God, one bead, one holy

June 15, 2014