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Daily Prayer: Keeping Our Roots Strong in a Busy World

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Daily Prayer: Keeping Our Roots Strong in a Busy World Photo by Clay Banks (@clay.banks) "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." — Colossians 2:6-7 It’s Tuesday morning, and the crisp autumn air is already hinting at a busy day ahead. My to-do list, both mental and written, seems to stretch longer than my patience sometimes. From work emails piling up to remembering to check in with my adult kid, plus the never-ending dance with laundry, my brain often feels less like a well-organized filing cabinet and more like a browser with a hundred tabs open. You know the feeling, right? That slight hum of frantic energy, even before the first cup of coffee has done its job. In moments like these, when my inner world feels a bit scattered, verses like Colossians 2:6-7 are less like a gentle suggestion and mor...

Something To Celebrate: Juneteenth

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Background photo by Brooke Lark (@brookelark) Today is Juneteenth . There’s always something to celebrate.

The Best Drinks for a Summer Puzzling Session

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The Best Drinks for a Summer Puzzling Session Photo by Axiom Print (@axiomprintla) Ah, June. The days stretch long before us, warm and full of promise. There’s a beautiful energy in the air, a gentle invitation to slow down just a little. For many of us, this season can feel like a push-and-pull between soaking up every moment and needing genuine, restorative rest. Our brains, ever-busy, often yearn for a peaceful activity that offers a pathway from "doing" to simply "being." That’s where a good jigsaw puzzle or a thoughtful digital download activity comes in. It helps bridge the gap between a busy mind and creative rest. And what makes these moments even better? The perfect accompanying drink. Because, really, what’s a mindful summer puzzling session without a little refreshing something by your side? Hydration for Thoughtful Connection Keeping hydrated is key, especially as the temperatures rise. But hydration can be more than just functio...

What's For Dinner: Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad

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What's For Dinner: Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad June is here, and with it, those lovely long evenings that just beg for something light, fresh, and utterly satisfying. After a day that feels like it’s been bustling just as much as the buzzing bees outside, the last thing my spirit yearns for is a complicated kitchen adventure. My soul, and frankly, my stomach, just crave something easy, nourishing, and genuinely comforting—a meal that allows for quiet contemplation rather than kitchen chaos. And truly, isn't finding that perfect, uncomplicated meal a small blessing in itself? This Grilled Chicken Greek Pasta Salad has become my go-to for those very moments. The world outside is humming with life right now, isn't it? Everything feels a bit brighter, a bit more vibrant, from the lush green leaves to the cheerful bursts of blooming flowers. It makes me think about how we're always in a season of some kind, constantly growing and changing. Som...

Daily Prayer: Our Purposeful Design

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Daily Prayer: Our Purposeful Design Photo by Gregory Hayes (@gregoryallenhayes) "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10 More Than Just Making It Through Tuesday It’s late afternoon on a Tuesday, and the light is softening, tracing long shadows across my office wall. The crisp air of early autumn whispers promises of cozy evenings, but my reality is still very much about deadlines, dinner plans, and maybe a quick chat with our adult child later. Some days, making it to bedtime feeling like I’ve accomplished anything beyond basic survival feels like a win. My to-do list seems to stretch indefinitely, a testament to the beautiful, messy juggle of being a working mom and wife. There are moments when I feel less like "God's handiwork" and more like a worn-out dishtowel, folded imperfectly and constantly in use. Can you relate? A Custom Creation Then ...

Something To Celebrate: International Picnic Day

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Background photo by Jordane Mathieu on Unsplash Happy International Picnic Day! Yes, that's a real thing, and it's today. Who knew picnics needed international acknowledgment? Probably someone who really, really loves a good al fresco sandwich. Now, when you hear "picnic," your mind might conjure up images of perfectly checkered blankets, wicker baskets overflowing with artisanal cheeses, and perhaps a mild existential dread about ants. But for us grounded folk – and perhaps those of us who find large social gatherings a touch... much – a picnic can be a much simpler affair. It can be a sandwich eaten on a park bench, a handful of grapes enjoyed on your back porch, or even just taking your coffee to the closest patch of sunshine. My patio chair totally counts, by the way. The beauty of International Picnic Day isn't just about perfectly packed coolers or Instagram-ready spreads. It's a sweet little reminder that sometimes, the best way to enjoy a ...

The balance between softness and structure in handbag design

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The balance between softness and structure in handbag design Photo by Mike Kenneally on Unsplash With June settling in, the days stretch long and the world outside feels a bit more gentle, a bit more yielding. This time of year often brings to mind the simple, subtle beauty in everyday things. And it makes me think about a particular harmony I cherish in design: the balance between softness and structure, especially when it comes to the bags we carry. Consider softness first. It's the comfort of a well-worn textile, the way a shawl drapes just so, or the pleasant give of a favorite pillow. In a handbag, softness speaks of adaptability, a gentle mold to your side, a friendly hand-feel. It’s the material that feels welcoming, unpretentious, reflecting a certain ease in how we move through our days. It’s the grace that comes from not needing to be rigid. Yet, life, and our treasured items, also benefit from a touch of backbone. Structure in a bag isn't abou...