Snow or no snow
Widening our view
Happy Tuesday, friends!
I’m wrapping up an amazing ski weekend with my friends from NYU. It’s been a joy to catch up and spend so much good quality time together in one of my favorite places on earth, Lake Tahoe!
And while we’re so enjoying our time together, I was a little stressed about it last week. As our travels grew nearer, it became clearer that there was a slight dearth of snow in the mountains. How are we supposed to do a ski weekend if there is no snow?!
But the moment I saw my friend Kelly during our layover on the way to Tahoe, she said to me, “It doesn’t really matter what the snow is like, we’ll have a great time.” And I knew she was right! We had the absolute best time, with two better-than-expected ski days and so much good quality catch-up time. I suggested that we all make PowerPoint presentations with photos and updates from the past year, since we rarely get to catch up — and it was an absolute JOY to see all the highlights and celebrate all of the gifts and growth from the past year.
I’m a gal with lots of ideas about how things should go — and many (read: most) times they do not go quite to plan. But the longer I live, the more I see that even when things don’t go according to my plans, they go according to His, which are always much, much better than what I had in mind.
And I’m not unique— God works all things for your good, too! But in the ins and outs of daily life, it’s tempting to forget that He is at work, to shrink right back to the small lens we have on the world, and to be rocked and rolled by the events around us.
This week, I hope we all receive everything that happens as the gifts they truly are, to rest in the truth that God knows Who He is and what He’s about.
Please pray for me and know of my prayers!
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
The joy of community
I caught up with a friend last week and was so excited to tell her, “Because of you, I pray Psalm 23 in the morning before I get out of bed!” and she laughed and responded, “Because of you, I stop weekly in my neighborhood church and light a candle!” I’m so grateful for the witness my friends are. Never underestimate the impact you have on the people around you!!
What do you need to give up at work?
There’s so much leadership advice about what we need to add and do more of, which can be exhausting to think about. I loved this episode of At The Table, in which Patrick Lencioni talks about the importance of giving things up to be better leaders! It was super thought-provoking, I highly recommend.
Stations of the Cross
I’ve been carrying this little book of Stations of the Cross around all week, and whenever I have a moment of pause, I’ll pull it out and meditate on a station. It’s been a joy. I love the idea of having a little book with me, to fill time when I have a moment instead of pulling out my phone.
Prayer intentions
For a special intention
Time with friends is always wonderful! And, I also loved Pat’s thoughts on giving up some less positive habits at work. So wise!