Welcome!
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Welcome to the third stage of life, Vanaprastha, the stage between the summer of building career and family, and the eventual winter of decline. The harvest time, and for us, a forest retreat in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains!
In 2010, I left my career with much foot-dragging—and an identity crisis. Who was I, now that I was no longer parenting or teaching? I soon found a new mission as a writer, but finding my true self took longer. My book Wisdom Builds Her House tells the story of how I looked back to the past for the first time in my life, applied the lessons of successes and failures, dismantled the person I thought could not be replaced, and discovered healing in the person I’d grown to be. Wisdom Builds Her House will be available for pre-order soon.
I urge those in this stage of life or on the cusp to embrace the challenge. For encouragement, join me on social media or subscribe to receive my posts and newsletters.
Recently posted on the blog
Making decline—physical, social, spiritual—into a positive
Physical decline challenged us during the Maundy Thursday service last week. Keith’s hearing aids failed, curtailing his ability to socialize, and I’m still adjusting to ergonomic aids for my flute. In the Bible, "decline" often signifies spiritual...
Am I becoming lazy about ordinary work, deceptions, and trust?
Being lazy isn’t something I usually think about during Holy Week, given how much is going on at church: assembling meals for those in need and Palm Sunday this past weekend, Tuesday evening music rehearsal, Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday, and Resurrection...
Harmony only works if it includes both consonance and dissonance
I do pretty well picking out harmony in my work at church: reading scripture, playing flute with the Worship Team, singing alto with the choir, and serving on the Women’s Ministry team. Believe me, I am honored to be able to produce...