Just saying hi!
Do you ever not do something because you've overdone it in the past and getting back in the saddle is too overwhelming so instead of simplifying and doing the actual thing you love, you just... don't?
“Hi. It’s me. I’m the problem. It’s me.”
-Viral Video Trend, TSwift1, & also the Gospel, amiright?!2
((Ohmygosh, side note already. This is starting well!))
When I did more ministry for the youths, we often played a game called “Taylor Swift or Lamentations?”. We’d put a quote up on the big screen and the students would have to walk to one side of the room if they thought is was Taylor’s Lyrics or to the other side if they thought it came from the Lamentations. Want to play?
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting the bottom.
Have you ever seen anything like this? Ever seen pain like my pain, seen what he did to me?
It rains when you’re here. And it rains when you’re gone.
Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you.
Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes, and vacancy vanished when I saw your face.
How did you score? 3
((Okay, this was not the plan when I came to write a quick update for you today but it sure got me giggling and I hope it does the same for you. I’m leaving it in!))
My actual point was that I stopped writing consistently because I wanted to have the margin to craft with intention and to share from the heart and to say something with substance. And I got caught in the trap of doing nothing out of fear of expectations and obligation (self-inflicted) instead of doing something small and simple and sometimes spontaneous.
Working on that, starting today.
This newsletter. Here she be in all her glory!
My son turned ten this week and has been begging me to make him a Coca-Cola 3-D cake that spurts out soda and looks like a 2 liter bottle of cola. Umm, yeah, no. Loveyouson but mama can’t do that. So, I promised instead, a homemade cake made with actual Coke inside of it. I felt good about it! Came together nicely. Then tried to get fancy by piping the Coca-Cola logo in white frosting on top. It. Was. So. Bad. I couldn’t stop laughing at how ridiculous it looked. But the boys absolutely loved it. They said, and I quote, “It is perfect! That looks so cool!”
Bible Time— instead of going knees deep into a new study, I’ve been skimming around the New Testament right now. For some reason, I feel discontent and I’m “shoulding” myself into doing more and shaming myself for not doing enough. Instead of experiencing this unique season of relationship with Jesus, I’m losing out on the ordinary moments in His pages.
I guess what I’m saying is (and maybe I’m not the only one?) that I’m re-learning to value the small, simple, and spontaneous amidst the rest of life that feels full, scheduled, and sometimes hurried.
Sneak in the sunsets.
Put a favorite recipe on the meal plan this week.
Rest without “earning” it.
Re-read your favorite Bible story and imagine it in color.
Walk around the block, even if you don’t have time for the two mile run you had previously planned.
Say yes to something fun just because even if it doesn’t make sense.
Ask your friends to send you reminder texts to smile and drink more water using only GIFs.
Buy these socks just because— so soft, cushy, cute colors. 4
Friends… Sisters… love you lots. We are precious in the sight of the Lord— He sees us. He knows us. He is present with us. Let us bask in that this week…
PS- I hang out mostly on Instagram if you want to find me more consistently on there — @courtneylee2020.
(*this is the only eastern NE option, this year!) April 29: Church Ladies, Ashland, NE - REGISTER HERE
May 6: Church Ladies, Imperial, NE- REGISTER HERE
June 3: Church Ladies, Gandy, NE
August 19: Church Ladies, Colorado Springs, CO
September 16: Church Ladies, Marysville, KS
(*only chance to see the old Legacy Ladies!) September 29-30: Legacy Retreat, Valentine, NE
October 20-21: Church Ladies, Plattsmouth, NE (at Mahoney State Park)
November 4: Church Ladies, Ogallala, NE
November 11: Church Ladies, Burwell, NE
January 27, 2024: Church Ladies, Borrego Springs, CA
February 24, 2024: Church Ladies, Hastings, NE
October 12, 2024: Church Ladies, Grenada, CA
https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-anti-hero-lyrics (This is a wild storyline; I’ve never read through the whole song until today!)
https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-gospel.html
Lamentations (1,2) TSwift (3,4,5) https://everypigeon.com/taylor-swift-lyrics-or-the-book-of-lamentations-the-message-translation/ Robbie Maakestad is a Features Editor for The Rumpus; he received his MFA in Creative Nonfiction from George Mason University, and is writing a biography of place about Jerusalem’s City of David Archaeological Park. He has been published or has forthcoming work in Boulevard, The Normal School, Essay Daily, Wigleaf, and Bad Pony, among others. In 2017, Robbie was shortlisted for the Penguin/Travelex Next Great Travel Writer Award. Follow him @RobbieMaakestad.
https://a.co/d/dmL4Gm0
I made God a promise to give Him 5 minutes of writing a day in 2020. Let me start by saying I haven’t been consistent daily but when I feel compelled to write I find it to have that substance you describe. I haven’t written daily but over the past 3 years I have filled 3 journals with writing of substance. I have so much respect for you getting back at it with full transparency. Rare quality in the world! Cake looks amazing!!!