This is such an encouraging reminder, Loren. I too wince at the thought of times I know I messed up - and then wince more deeply when I contemplate the number of times I caused hurt or other issues without knowing it! So thankful that the Lord can redeem all of it and make it into something beautiful.
It is staggering when we stop to think about it. I used to when I taught high school. Some of students were very lost people. I would sometimes actively choose to be kind to that student who never turned in an assignment, the one with a juvenile record, on the off chance that I was the only adult who wasn’t yelling and angry. I liked to think that in some small way that kindness counted on some level. I probably won’t know on this side of Heaven.
It is sometimes harder with the day in and day out relationships. The family member who wants to be estranged, the people with whom I have little in common but I am related by blood or marriage. I hope that my connections there are positive, even we I am not feeling that way. I really love The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It isn’t my usual type of book, but the heart of the book and the concept that the most important connections may be the ones you aren’t aware of was an amazing concept.
I love this, Jennifer. Yes—it’s so sobering to think that we might have an eternal impact with just an act of kindness. I’ve never read The Five People, but I like your argument for its value. I might have to pick it up!
Loren, thank you for these reminders! (Also..I have GOT to finish that book! I bought it when we were going to Greece and somehow it got pushed aside. My "To Be Finished" pile is larger than my "To Be Read" pile. Yikes!)
Ooh, that’s right, Renee—you were in Greece! Did you go to Delphi? I think what I love best about Stewart’s writing is how she makes settings come to life.
I might have missed this earlier. Is there a place to read Fishsticks online or is Evie exclusively posting it here? My daughter loves cats and would enjoy reading more of them. :)
If you go to Evie’s Instagram, @starclad.magpie, a bunch of her art is there, including some of her Fishsticks and Remington. She hasn’t done many recently, more’s the pity, but she posted a number of the ones she did. They’re so fun—I wish she’d do more!
You are very much one of my connections! I heard you were up Canton way recently and got to go out to lunch with Sharon. I couldn’t help but think how lovely it was that our ties haven’t broken with space and time.
This is such an encouraging reminder, Loren. I too wince at the thought of times I know I messed up - and then wince more deeply when I contemplate the number of times I caused hurt or other issues without knowing it! So thankful that the Lord can redeem all of it and make it into something beautiful.
Yes! Thankfully he knows what to do with us humans ☺️.
It is staggering when we stop to think about it. I used to when I taught high school. Some of students were very lost people. I would sometimes actively choose to be kind to that student who never turned in an assignment, the one with a juvenile record, on the off chance that I was the only adult who wasn’t yelling and angry. I liked to think that in some small way that kindness counted on some level. I probably won’t know on this side of Heaven.
It is sometimes harder with the day in and day out relationships. The family member who wants to be estranged, the people with whom I have little in common but I am related by blood or marriage. I hope that my connections there are positive, even we I am not feeling that way. I really love The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It isn’t my usual type of book, but the heart of the book and the concept that the most important connections may be the ones you aren’t aware of was an amazing concept.
I love this, Jennifer. Yes—it’s so sobering to think that we might have an eternal impact with just an act of kindness. I’ve never read The Five People, but I like your argument for its value. I might have to pick it up!
It is not very long and it is quick to read. I won’t spoil it in case you read it. If you do, let me know! I would be interested in your thoughts.
Now I really need to check it out 😄
Dear Loren--
You write so warmly on these cold winter days.
As a youth, I somehow believed in isolation from others.
Now I'm convinced, as you are, that we live by relationships.
Through relationships, we can endure great hardship--and end up stronger.
Thank you for writing, week after week.
You make a difference, however tangential, to me.
TAT
I’m glad my words have encouraged you, Troy! It’s amazing to me where and how we all connect—and yep, you’re a part of that web, too.
Loren, thank you for these reminders! (Also..I have GOT to finish that book! I bought it when we were going to Greece and somehow it got pushed aside. My "To Be Finished" pile is larger than my "To Be Read" pile. Yikes!)
Ooh, that’s right, Renee—you were in Greece! Did you go to Delphi? I think what I love best about Stewart’s writing is how she makes settings come to life.
We did! I hope you get to go some day!
Or at least someday we’ll get to have a face to face conversation and you can tell me all about it ☺️
I might have missed this earlier. Is there a place to read Fishsticks online or is Evie exclusively posting it here? My daughter loves cats and would enjoy reading more of them. :)
If you go to Evie’s Instagram, @starclad.magpie, a bunch of her art is there, including some of her Fishsticks and Remington. She hasn’t done many recently, more’s the pity, but she posted a number of the ones she did. They’re so fun—I wish she’d do more!
It's just me letting you know I'm very glad to be one if your connections.
You are very much one of my connections! I heard you were up Canton way recently and got to go out to lunch with Sharon. I couldn’t help but think how lovely it was that our ties haven’t broken with space and time.
Me too. ❤️