Gifts of Contemplation & Courage

I was honored to be invited to write for the Upper Room Journal in July. Here is an excerpt of the article. Cick on the link below if you want to read the whole article - including journaling prompts and additional prayer resources. 

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"I love children’s picture books. They offer beautifully illustrated lessons for children and a picture window for adults to see the world through new eyes. One of my favorites, which I read over and over to my children when they were young, is I Love You the Purplest by Barbara Joosse. 

It is the tender story of a young mother and her two sons, Max and Julian. After a day of adventures at their cabin in the woods, she tucks them into bed, and each boy asks her who she loves best. She answers with wisdom and tenderness, celebrating each boy’s gifts: 

“Why Max, I love you the reddest: like the color of the campfire, the swirl of a magic cape or the thunder of a shout. 

And, Julian, I love you the bluest: like the color of a dragonfly, the mist of a mountain or the hush of a whisper.” 

When the boys are finally asleep, their mama closes her eyes and dreams of her precious children that she loves the purplest. 

That beautiful imagery of red, blue, and purple resonates deeply with me. Some of us are naturally drawn toward blue — embracing the quiet gifts of contemplation, prayer, and listening. Others lean toward red — embracing the active gifts of serving, leading, and doing. Both are beautiful. Both are needed. 

We live in a time when red and blue often feel less like colors in a children’s book and more like symbols of opposing teams. We choose sides, dig in our heels, and defend our beliefs — all too often with bitterness and anger toward the “other side.” Our current reality makes me wonder if there might be wisdom in a simple children’s book for just such a time as this... "

Click here to read the full article on the Upper Room Journal website.

Photo: I took this pic from my front yard way back in 2010. I love the way the rainbow is a bridge between the blue and pinkish-red sides of the expansive sky. Ain't God's creation grand??!!