Hand in tiny hand they meandered their way down the aisle, flower girl and ring bearer, each gripping a bouquet, searching the crowded pews for the faces of their grandmothers. I can’t recall ever 
seeing a more beautiful flower arrangement than the one with the dangling rose that I received from my grandson at his uncle’s wedding. It is no small thing to survive a journey in the hand of a small boy.
June has been a month of family, a season of gathering together around both celebration and mourning. We’ve spent moments cherishing memories, and we’ve invested time in preparation for the future as another son finds his balance on the edge of the nest and makes solid plans for his launch into good days to come.
We have welcomed another daughter-in-love into our family chaos, and we also continue to grow in our love and appreciation for the woman who loves our oldest son and cares for our grandchildren.
Father’s Day Celebration at Pemaquid Point
On the Blog
I enjoyed the hospitality of two blogging friends in June.
Sue Donaldson flung the doors and the windows open wide and filled the room with stories about the blessing of faces around a table. I shared the story of our family’s ongoing relationship with missionaries who have visited in our home and have enlarged our hearts and our view of the world. You can read the whole story here, and, while you’re over at Sue’s place, be sure to check out the series because Every Table Tells a Story.
Then, one day I received an email asking if I would share a review of one of my family’s favorite movies. Well, of course I would, but first — which movie? There’s been a lot of popcorn consumed in this house! Hop on over to Melanie Redd’s writing home to find out why Chitty Chitty Bang Bang won out (over Master of Disguise) and why you should consider watching it with your kids and grandkids. Also, be on the lookout for upcoming installments in Melanie’s series of good family films for summer viewing.
We met around four books at Living Our Days this month. Thank you for your good thoughts — the conversation has been lively and I invite you to join us if you haven’t already.
Never Unfriended by Lisa-Jo Baker addresses the longing we have for authentic friendship, and just might feel like a heart-to-heart talk with a trusted girlfriend.
Kay Warren wrote Sacred Privilege with ministry wives in mind, but if you’ve done time in a pew, you will find rich wisdom in her words for navigating life with the family of God.
I devoted two separate posts to Keeping Place by Jen Pollock Michel because it addressed the meaning of home both theologically (read “A Theology of Home” here) and practically (read “The Work of Home” here). If you’ve ever read words from Scripture and longed for the permanence that is more than place, or if you’ve found yourself overwhelmed by the practical details of housekeeping (and wondered if it’s worth it), you’ll want to settle into this book for a good long re-setting read.
Reading the Bible Supernaturally by John Piper was a challenging and rewarding reminder that, while we must approach our reading of Scripture with discernment and with all our diligent efforts as a student, we are mightily assisted by the Holy Spirit in our assimilation of truth and in the outworking of righteousness which comes about as a result of our having seen and savored Christ in His Word.
In the GardenI am pleased to report that the entire garden has received its first thorough weeding . . . and now I’m starting all over again. There is no “once and done” in this business of growing vegetables, which is an excellent metaphor for our process of spiritual formation. I enjoyed the challenge of writing about this very thing at a new Facebook Group that I’m helping out with these days: Seeking God Daily. You can read my first contribution here, and you’re welcome to join the group for daily inspiration to pursue God through His Word.
Blessings and love to each one of you. It’s a privilege to share words of encouragement and challenge here, to talk books, and to hear your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy these fleeting days of summer (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere!).
My favorite Sunday morning women and I are finishing up Peter’s first letter to his “elect exiles,” and since we are included in his wise offerings, let’s come into this new season with a renewed determination that “above all [we will] keep loving one another earnestly.”
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Join me over at Leigh Kramer’s place for What I’m Into where others will also be sharing their end-of-month recap posts. Great recommendations for reading and listening and enjoying life abound!
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I link-up with a number of blogging communities on a regular basis. They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week. I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers.
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