🌊 Courage: Compassion makes us brave.
Year of Breath AND Your Free June Reading Guide
Two of my kids were at a VBS sports camp this week. On the last day of camp, parents were invited to check out their baseball skills and watch their camp performances. I’m a mom of four kids—I know the VBS song and dance. We shuffled into chairs and got ready to cheer on a bunch of elementary schoolers in oversized bright T-shirts doing their thing.
But what I didn’t know is that my son brought $100 (nearly everything in his bank) to donate to the clean water initiative the camp was raising money for. He didn’t say a thing — he was just moved by compassion and courage to share what he had.
I want to be more like him: less cynical and more trusting in the goodness of God.
The same day, my friend Patricia Taylor’s youngest daughter received a compassion award at school. “I couldn’t be more proud and hopeful that more and more, we can all recognize how much compassion matters,” she wrote.
Yes, as parents, we want our kids to flourish in many different facets of their lives.
But when it comes down to it, we hope that their lives are marked by love.
And that our lives are, too.
Courage isn't just about facing our fears; it's about doing what is right, even when it's hard. Compassion isn't just about feeling sympathy; it's about embodying kindness and understanding, even when it's inconvenient.
This week, I’m heading to Washington, D.C., to visit Capitol Hill to advocate for gun safety. (More on that here.) I’ve found that when I get out of my own way, and my heart is soft, the Spirit moves me to compassion, and that compassion often leads to courage to use my actions and words.
I’m still a little cynical and a little nervous, but I want to be like my son and have faith in God's goodness. I want to care less about what others think and more about living into rhythms of humble faith and love of neighbor.
This week, may we breathe in the strength and courage that come from the One who is brave and gentle.
And may we exhale the empathy and compassion that our world so desperately needs.
June Reading Guide
Looking for some summer reading? I’ve put together a gentle guide for a short reading every week for this month. Each week, you’ll find exactly what small, timely chapter or prayer to turn to, complete with dates and page numbers.
You can keep it on your phone, print it out, pin it up by your desk, or hang it on your fridge.
This guide goes along with my books Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way.
Speaking of Books…Stock up!
Amazon's prices fluctuate constantly, and I have a price alert on my books so I can let you know when they’re on sale: Every Season Sacred is only $15.39 right now, which is a steal.
Guest Liturgy
Parenting can leave us overwhelmed and bleary-eyed. W. David O. Taylor, author of the brand-new book Prayers for the Pilgrimage, is our guest liturgist this week.
He is Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of several books, including A Body of Praise and Open and Unafraid. An Anglican priest, he has lectured widely on the arts from Thailand to South Africa. In 2016, he collaborated with Bono and Eugene Peterson to produce a short film on the Psalms.
The art you see is taken from a stunning larger work by his wife Phaedra.
My endorsement of their book:
“This collection of short, nuanced prayers is a gift that points us to the deep love God has not only for us but for our neighbors too. David Taylor offers thoughtful words for the journey, lending us prayers for a multitude of occasions, celebrations, and pain points, inviting us to bring our whole selves to the One who hears every cry of our hearts. This beautiful book is a rich resource for individuals, families, and churches, reminding us of God’s presence in the joys and sorrows of life together.”
Who should be a guest liturgist in 2024? Let me know in the comments!
This Week’s “Year of Breath” Includes:
Curated weekly breath prayers, corresponding wallpaper, guided reflection prompts, Scripture, and a playlist for when you need a little courage.
Breath Prayer
As you breathe:
Consider where you need courage in your life.
Let go of the fear that has been lingering.
Take a moment to inhale and center yourself in God’s presence:
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