Yesterday I made a classic mistake. I said the words every small-town person eventually regrets: “I’m just running to town real quick.” Now if you live in a big city, a quick trip to town probably means you go to the store, get what you need, and come home. But in a small town, that’s not how it works. A trip to town is not an errand. It is an event. It started out simple enough. I needed one thing. Just one. I told myself I’d be in and out in fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes later I was still in the parking lot. Because the first thing that happened was I saw someone I knew. Now in a small town you don’t just wave and keep walking. That would be rude. So we stopped and talked for a minute, which naturally turned into ten minutes. We covered everyone’s health, the weather, someone’s garden, and whether the rain last week was good for the hay. Then I finally made it inside the store. That’s when I ran into someone else I knew. This conversation began with, “How have you been?” and someh...
Some weeks call for a long list of things to do. Other weeks feel like they need something different-- something a little softer than a schedule full of tasks and expectations. This week, instead of focusing on everything that has to get done, I'm keeping a simple wish list. Not goals. Not deadlines. Just a few small things I'm hoping to make space for in the days ahead. A Quiet Morning. I'm hoping for at least one morning this week that isn't rushed. The kind of morning where the house is still, and the day hasn't started pulling in a dozen different directions yet. Just a few quiet minutes to think, pray, and ease into the day. Time Outside. Even if it's just a short walk or a few minutes standing in the yard, I'd like to spend a little time outside this week. Fresh air has a way of clearing your mind and reminding you that the world is bigger than whatever is crowding your thoughts. A Good Conversation. Life moves quickly, and sometimes conversations g...