And she wore red and testified...

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I have some new followers (hello!) and so I thought I would do a brief introduction and also take the opportunity to give you a discount code for pretty clothes...⁣

I found my Christmas outfit. And even though my governor is working hard to snuff the life out of our celebrations, I will wear it. Even if I have to walk up and down the street singing Christmas Carols to the trees.⁣

And perhaps that's a perfect introduction for me today...⁣

The homeschooling mom of 8 who wrote a book on natural Catholic healing, uses the dishes as a gauge for my spiritual life, and made an agreement with social media to proclaim the name of Jesus and speak the Truth... or leave.⁣

I'm an idea person with more schemes than time. But sometimes things stick...⁣

My idea today is that I want to run for political office someday to help take back our country. But also that I won't ever wear a suit jacket at a press conference...⁣

Maybe I'll wear a red circle skirt.⁣

About that... my outfit is from @mariezeliebrand and I love it. But even before I received these lovely, high quality clothes to review, they had me at their tagline: A.M.D.G.⁣

My skirt is the Vinca in red. It is a classic, cotton, high-waisted circle skirt featuring POCKETS. (Yes, ladies... pockets.)⁣

My shirt is the Lovoa Blouse in black. I love the quality and generous weight of the fabric.⁣

My style is eclectic. I wear what I like. And I often wear my mood. I never used to wear red because I didn't want to stand out. I still prefer a hidden life where no one notices or prods or screeches at me for not conforming...⁣

But it's awfully hard to share the Gospel in silence. It's impossible to defend the vulnerable. And though tomorrow I will probably dream of garden-tending with a muddy apron, in an obscure, internet-less hamlet (with goats)... today? I feel like wearing red.

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Cancelling vs. Boundary Setting

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She left the church and sat on the steps, alone and in the dark. She tried to tell us... she was hungry and tired...⁣

“I don’t want to be here anymore. Can’t you be done talking?”⁣

But we weren’t done, and so she took herself just a few paces—and turned away.⁣ She knew if she stayed, she’d get disagreeable. She knew she’d feel unheard and angry...⁣

And so she summoned some deep wisdom and stepped away.⁣

Sometimes, what people call “cancel culture” is really just the establishment of healthy boundaries. So that love and relationship can survive.⁣

Here is the difference:⁣

Cancelling someone causes intentional harm. It is designed to delete their personhood. It lacks empathy and love. If it were a sound, it would shriek and cackle.⁣

Boundary setting, on the other hand, seeks the greatest good for all. It recognizes that human weakness can only carry so much weight before it fails. Can only take so much trauma, stress, sorrow, or abuse. It steps away with the hope of reconciliation. If it had a sound, it might sound like prayers of trust mingled with tears.⁣

Boundaries can appear to some like canceling... but they are ultimately oriented toward hope.⁣ My daughter is fiery. And yet even at the age of 7, she understands these things innately. If the soul could talk...⁣

“I do not like what you are doing. It is hurting me. I am frustrated and don’t like you right now. And I need a moment.”⁣

She wasn’t hardened to us... she was sensitive to us. And protective. Of herself. Of a beloved relationship.⁣

I realize the comparison is imperfect and incomplete. But sometimes things are simpler than we make them.⁣ If you need space from certain people right now, it’s probably okay to take a moment away. Let your tears fall and your disappointment work itself out through prayer and busyness...⁣

And maybe it won’t be long before you can loosen the boundaries a little. Maybe remove them entirely. Or...⁣

Perhaps division is the only way to allow everyone to heal. It might be a humiliation to you. Misunderstood. But only you know what you can carry. All paths are hard. But not all lead to healing.⁣

Come Holy Spirit. Bestow wisdom. Amen.