the house falls quiet on a rare
afternoon
all three girls spinning in their
spheres
and me alone
with my dog,
who entwines herself around my feet
as i light a candle and chop
vegetables
carrot coins and kale chunks,
onions and shallots —
these ordinary elements that are
evening’s worship
in this home, a sanctuary,
this kitchen, a place of
communion
i read today that the world
needs its artists more
than ever
and i feel again the fire
shut up in bones,
a fire that wants to make
soup a thing of beauty,
that wants to string lines
like beads,
that wants to remind of hope
in words and images and
surrender and gathering around the table
soup is an instrument, i’m sure you see,
for the melding of
feelings and fears and aspirations,
affirming the truth of need and
the gift of being fed,
tucked in between slurps
of broth
and the breaking of
bread
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
![Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: "And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart." The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e35/17934124_1877271335863004_8139172358331039744_n.jpg "Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: \"And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart.\" The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!")
Miss Ashley, As usual I thoroughly enjoyed your writing. I am in a class where we are reading “A Guidebook to Prayer: 24 ways to walk with God” by MaryKate Morse. One of the chapters discusses prater through creativity and one of the things she mentions is cooking/baking being a form of prayer. Your post spoke so eloquently to that. Same concept, twice in one week. Wonder if that’s a message for me? Thank you.
Becky, can’t tell you how much it filled my heart to see you here. I love how patient — and persistent — God is in giving us the messages we need. That book sounds amazing. I’d love to hear more about your class. Sending you so much love!
Beautiful sister!
Thank you, sissy! You sure know a lot about the ministry of food. <3
I love your voice, the way you weave in ALL of life! Everything Belongs!
Keep sharing with us all, we need your ART!
Everything belongs…I love that so much. Thank you, friend! And we need YOURS. xo