After a long flight across the ocean, we arrived in Melbourne on Thursday to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions. We are thrilled to have been invited to attend and to participate at our partner’s event. I entered the day both excited and energized — yet a little apprehensive about interacting directly with people that may or may not agree with an endeavor like Patheos. However, as with most new experiences in life, it is often best to just... Read more
My very inquisitive 6 year old asked me why people dress up on Halloween. I was stumped. I am usually a reasonably informed mom with a quick story about all the cool things in history that have formed our current day celebrations. But not this time. So in my true seeker spirit, I went in search of some answers. I was intrigued to read the “Origins of Halloween” article and get a full picture of the many influences that created... Read more
I read the article “Does College Kill Faith” in our Public Square this week with interest – and it made me reflect on my spiritual journey during my years in college. I wish I could say I was more thoughtful, more truth seeking and that studying the wonders of science made me ask the bigger questions. That sounds very academic, very noble and very mature. I was unfortunately, none of those. I was just plain busy. I felt overwhelmed on... Read more
Blended Families are complicated. No doubt. And just when you think you have a handle on it, there is some new complexity that you must face. All of our kids look dramatically different – as if they are not from the same family at all. I get that – I just don’t think about it that often. We were walking through the mall the other day, and I am feeling good about just keeping them all together and getting through... Read more
Divorce is awful — anyone who has experienced it will tell you that there are worse things in life, but not many. The ripping apart of a family is painful and difficult no matter how “amicable” a couple tries to be during the process. In my divorce, there was a very unique loss … the loss of a step child. I was married for 10 years before my divorce, and during that marriage was given the most unbelievable gift —... Read more
I was touched this week by all of the heart-felt articles on the topic of abortion (especially the Dry Bones Blog, Kathleen, you rock). I can imagine all women have a part of their heart that feels something very unique on this topic. For me, I am reminded that the pain that comes from the loss of a child can come in many forms. Each with their own complexities and unique complications. My body was not very savvy about having... Read more
Some days, like today, I am lost. I see things and feel things that shake my faith. That make me question what I actually believe. And why things happen the way they do. The last week has been full of setbacks, the loss of dreams, and sad news. And painfully watching people go through really tough times — good people who should not suffer more in this life. Good people who find themselves in really hard situations. In these moments... Read more
“Every one of us is called upon, probably many times, to start a new life. A frightening diagnosis, a marriage, a move, loss of a job…… And onward full tilt we go, pitched and wrecked and absurdly resolute, driven in spite of everything to make good on a new shore. To be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another – that is surely the basic instinct. Crying out: High Tide! Time to move out into the glorious debris. Time to... Read more
There are lots of strange moments in life, when you remember a moment that made you pause and think that you have discovered something really meaningful about yourself. I had one of those moments in the middle of a pedicure. My closest friend and I were at a local spa enjoying one of life’s finest pleasures – a pedicure while chatting with a friend – and the pedicurist started telling us a story about her latest experience. I’ll paraphrase……..She had... Read more
Interesting term….. Seeker. It is an eclectic office here at Patheos, we are a diverse group of folks full of lots different perspective and lots of ideas about the world we live in. I am the Seeker of the group…….and we all believe that I am like so many women my age…. over 40, kids (4), career woman, and exhausted. Most days, I am trying to create balance in my life, wishing for more time to explore life’s most important... Read more
Perspective of a Seeker
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