Month: September 2024

Today, my Mom and I went on a hike. It was in the woods, on a beautiful trail. The trail had hidden tree roots all over it, and dead leaves covered the ground. Other than the unusual 80+ temperatures, it felt fall-ish and peaceful.

I thought about how little color I had seen on this trail. It was so good to look up at the blue sky or the lake a ways out, where color seemed more abundant. I was thinking about how quickly I can consider the browns and earth-tone colors mundane.

As we kept walking, something caught my eye: something of color. I kept walking. And then I stopped and went back. After I reflected on the lack of color, finding this leaf just lying there, with no indication of where it had come from, felt like a reminder, a special message, to remember that even in the spaces I believe to be dull, surprises can pop up. Nowhere could I find a space where this may have fallen from.

Beauty will be found if you keep your eyes open and trust that sometimes when you least expect it, something beautiful will catch your eye and encourage your heart!!   ❤️ Trish

 

 

I come from a culture that values strengths more than struggles. Although this mindset can be very beneficial, I also recognize that it has limited our willingness and ability to speak about our vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

So, when I came across this quote today, it caused me to pause and wonder: How do we surrender to the process if we are not honest about what we need? I must be able to acknowledge and name my vulnerability and weakness to move into healing these tender and broken spaces.

My family has experienced so much good change in the last 25 years. I am grateful that we all are more willing to name what is not working and share a willingness to explore what change would look like. It is not always simple or easy, but I do find that it keeps us moving towards being healthier individuals.

I wonder where your thoughts wander as you consider the quote above. Can you name where you or your community needs healing? Can you begin to consider what it means to surrender to the process? I believe that healing starts when we name the areas we struggle with. This is not always done in a professional setting. Sometimes, it is simply sitting with someone who can listen well and reflect on your words. Sometimes, surrendering to the healing process requires pursuing professional help. I am a firm believer in “trusting your gut.” I believe what you need will become apparent as you act courageously and remain open to your healing journey.

I have had well-meaning people tell me what they think I need. I have not found them to be the most helpful or even accurate. I believe God speaks to us in our guts, and if you listen to yours, you will find enough clarity to take the next step. God will use others, and listening is essential, but hearing God will resonate in your heart, soul, and gut!

Be courageous and be honest. You and your community will be better for it!

❤️ Trish

Transformation is a Holy word…

A word of power and hope…

A word of longing…

In a world of brokenness, I often pray that we may be a transformed people…

And then I read this…

Transformation takes on a new meaning. It is a process of release and unraveling, courage and shining the light in darkness, honest reflection, and pulling out the thorns that choke out life.

Transformation is about uprooting and becoming….

I hope together, we can live the transformation journey until Jesus calls us Home! ❤️ Trish

I received this gift from my sister one Christmas. It hangs in my living room by the door, and I pass it every morning on my way out. I pause and read it each morning. It reads as a simple statement, but the meaning of these words reaches the depths of my soul.

Declaring that “all manner of thing shall be well” does not eliminate misfortune, sickness, or death. It is pointing to what all the respected wise ones say about the ability to find peace, and even joy, in the eye of the storm — to come to trust that there is something that transcends chaos and impermanence.

I have experienced pain and loss, grief and sorrow, unmet longings, and deep disappointment. And I am also keenly aware that goodness and joy have been abundant in my life. Deep faith, joyous laughter, and profound peace have been prevalent. The abundance of blessings far outweighs my hardships.

And so, as I leave each morning, not knowing what the day will hold, I know that, in truth, all manner of things shall be well; this is not a platitude or a pious statement that does not allow for pain or hardship. If I experience the eye of the storm in my day, I can trust that even in the chaos, peace and joy can be found, even in the face of adversity…all things shall be well! May you embrace these words and feel them deep into your soul on good days and not-so-good days! ❤️ Trish

 

 

I have missed writing, but I am ready to write again! Honestly, though, getting there took me a while. It has been a challenging summer. I can’t name exactly what made it difficult.

Of course, the conflict in the CRC was a significant piece. Being a delegate to the CRC Synod left me feeling numb longer than I would have liked. I felt clarity and peace, but sorrow, anger, and confusion mixed in, which took time to sift and sort.

Politics loom big, and I want to know where we will be post-election as a nation. I trust in the same God as many with different political views. I have reflected deeply on what God may call us to do in our world.  I am pretty sure it is much bigger than Trump or Harris. Are we capable of that? Do we even consider unity an option in our Church and our Nation? Lord have mercy!

Not sure how to navigate my own heart, I decided to find beauty in each day. It is amazing how the power of a decision can begin to soften one’s heart. I noticed sunsets and flowers. I took time to listen to the laughter of Ira, who is almost 3, and I felt the depth of our client’s stories in their 90s. Slowly, I felt more like myself as July turned to August. I could feel myself missing writing, and so here we are. Refocusing on beauty has brought me back to writing, and I am so grateful!

I wonder what beauty you see in every day? Is it in the people who surround you or in the silence of your soul? Is it in the stories of faithfulness and provision or in the anticipation of something yet to come?
I will share some beautiful pictures that have awoken my heart to writing. There will be more stories of the beauty surrounding me. Still, tonight, I am grateful to each of you who inquired about where I was or expressed interest in how I was doing. Notice that so much of the beauty I see is in the people who surround me. I hope that beautiful people will also surround you.

❤️ Trish