Let Love Guide

I am not a summer girl. The heat, the lack of schedule and rhythm. It's just not for me. I've been lucky to find a collection of friends who also struggle with summer. We joke (but are serious) that we have seasonal depression - summer edition. And my friend who's a therapist even found an article about it, so I feel seen and validated. The loneliness this summer, in particular, has been crushing. I have drawn into myself and the walls of our home, convinced I was the only one not having the best summer of their life. But in being vulnerable with those around me, I've heard time and again how lonely they feel, as well. I'm not unproductive. I've organized closets and made meals, texted with friends, and even ventured out a few times each week. And still, that lonely feeling persists. I know God is near and I work daily to give Him my loneliness. I try and sort out the root cause. And after careful examination, I think the root cause is my humanity. So simple. An...

Lenten reflection for The Parish A few years ago my father suffered a fall and had deep bruising that went from his stomach to his back. The cardiologist admitted Daddy to the hospital and stopped his blood thinners. Further imaging revealed he also had a subdural hematoma, so a neurologist joined his care team. When his team of —ologists were convinced he was well enough to go home, we were so excited. Still, arriving at home didn’t mean his health journey ended. At best, Daddy was precariously stable. While he did recover, I began to truly realize how fragile my father’s health was—and really how fragile all our lives are, if we allow ourselves to admit this truth. The Lenten season begins with us declaring our own limitedness: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return.” Just as Advent gives us forty days to prepare for the birth of Jesus, Lent is a time to reflect on who we are in Jesus. We journey with Jesus to the cross and, if we’re brave enough, we allow ourselves to a...