Be a Bright Light...

(Yep, Ken is in a boot-broken foot, and yes, that is gray in my hair! Read on...)

I have wondered how to begin this blog for a while now. I was not sure what to write nor how to respond to all the goings-on of the world. But here we are, 2026 is here, and I have a chance to talk with you and share some valuable insights that have come my way. I do not take credit for most of this. But I have some great friends who have shared.

Just a couple of hours ago I phoned my colleague, friend and mentor, Rev. Dr. Phil Stout. ( I will acknowledge this is a somewhat formal title, with the exception of his full formal name. For us – he will forever be the endeared Pastor Pill – labeled such by Tanner, our son.)

He was gracious to take my call and sit with me in all the tension and uneasiness that I have felt for years and years concerning the marriage of empire and religion, and being a Jesus-follower in these same days of worshipping power, might, and wealth. If you only knew the number of days I would bust down his church office door with questions, deep emotion and conviction, and huge issues concerning my understanding of Jesus – the Incarnate Word – the Word made flesh – “God With Us” and the perceptions of those who wish for control and authority over everyone else, while having no accountability for their own actions, words, ignorance, and biases.

The last week I have been ruminating on what it means to start a new year AGAIN! I have lived through a few of these now, and I needed to hear from people I respect and admire, including my husband. (BY THE WAY - my husband is now joining my decade in FEBRUARY!!! Yay!!! Please note – HE HAS MORE GRAY THAN I DO!!! And, NO I promise I am not hiding mine “yet”).

Yep, we are old! Loved this! Ken got to go see Makenna swim. Yep! Needed this!

The other day, Ken said he had read on a blog, that the scrolling should be limited to a 10-minute window in your day. Social media steals time and energy. Yep! I know it has stolen hours and days from my life, especially when I am looking for external validation for my existence. That RARELY happens through social media. Most of the time, it elicits a nervous system response and a visceral reaction consisting of panic, anger, and/or overwhelm. A friend and mentor told me this week that my internal validation is what is important, because I know who I am, and I need to show up as such. (Social Media is not needed for this!)

Next, I want to quote a woman who I find to be a brave follower of Jesus, and a leader in the institution I once served, Christine Youn Hung, has written the following concerning this New Year:

“Sometimes the best we can do is be a bright light of love, spread hope and generosity, and encourage those in proximity to do the same. Here’s to a year of reflecting God’s goodness and speaking out when injustice and hate seem to be winning – in our families, in our churches, in our cities, our country, and beyond. Happy New Year. Let’s aim for better days and thriving for ALL people.” (Facebook, written yesterday).

Isn’t that rich! I feel like Jesus would be (is) doing this…

(Time to Unplug?)

Another friend sent me journal prompts from a few people. (I have the most amazing friends!) First, there were New Year questions from “Try Softer,” by Aundi Kolber. If you do a quick online search you will see a couple of her goals as a therapist are “helping us align our mind, body, and soul to live the life God created for us,” and “A fresh approach to move us out of anxiety, stress, and survival mode - - and into a life of connection and joy.”

These prompts were so good, I urge you to try a few of them. Look her up. “Is there anything you feel ready to set down that you’ve been carrying from this past year?” was one of the prompts.  My nephew and several friends have decided to lay down all social media, as it has been toxic to their every day goals of calming their nervous systems and wanting to be the best versions of themselves in order to connect with God, their families, and their hopes for 2026. (I have been thinking about this one as well…but I am also writing you…so…not yet???)

There were also prompts from Emily P. Freeman, who hosts the podcast, “The Next Right Thing,” Episode 309, “How To Walk Into January Like a Soul Minimalist.” (I do find it interesting that I was actively purging and pitching about a million files that are no longer serving any purpose but to clutter our small space. So, maybe I needed to not just be a “soul” minimalist this year but also a “junk in a physically small space minimalist!” Ha! No judgment please!)

Wow! This was a lot to tackle! Feeling much better now!

This next section by Freeman began by saying, “I try to pay attention to what has a hold on me. What concerns are occupying my imagination? And what new questions have come up?” This is soooo good! As I grew up and am still growing up in faith, I think I scared and scare some people, as I was and am always questioning, learning, and wondering about things that many people just take for granted, especially things I was taught or theological things that seemed foundational and unquestionable.

This has caused a lot of tension and concern for many! Ha! So this was what I talked to ‘Pastor Pill’ about. He is such an encourager.  He reminded me that this is who I was created to be. And he is not afraid of the questions. Nor is he afraid of the answers. ME EITHER!!!! I’m gonna keep digging!!! God is big enough!!! And, there are things I have believed for years that are simply NOT TRUE! And those beliefs have hurt and demonized whole people groups who are indeed created in the very image of God and are valued and loved by God just as I am.

The next thing Freeman says is this, “I don’t plan my year by filling every day with goals. I plan it by creating clarity, systems, and space.” And she goes on to talk about setting time in our calendars for attention for your soul, your body, and your mind. I LOVE THIS! Yes! I write down my appointments in my calendars – because they are important. And, recently, I have tried to really take care of my body, soul, and mind in unique ways. I have been trying to keep an early morning spot for heavy weight lifting with my husband, who has been so gracious to help me understand how to even do this!!! I have clarity on wanting to get stronger while getting older, but there has to be a commitment to it. (Just one example.)

Also, when I know I have a day off, I might call a friend to go walking, or set up a date with Ken so that we can be together, and I can enjoy the connection with people that many times get shuffled to the side because of our demanding schedules. This helps me reorient my thinking to the most important things in life: connection with God and people. (Most of the time these happen at the same time for me. It is through deep relationships with people and nature that I understand God most. Finding God in nature has been transformative! These practices bring life! Jesus was always with people, walking with them, talking with them, or in a garden or desert somwhere - even on the hardest days!)

The last thing from Freeman that I want to share is her quote from Kevin DeYoung’s book, “Crazy Busy”: Choose your absence. “The biggest deception of our digital age may be the lie that says we can be omni-competent, omni-informed, and omnipresent. We must choose our absence, our inability, and our ignorance, and choose wisely.” Choose your absence so that your presence will have more impact…Your pace is your pace. You don’t have to keep pace with anyone else.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ONE!!! Right?!?!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Wowsers!!!

Just yesterday I was reading the “to-do” list of my sister, and I was exhausted just thinking about it. Her energy level has NEVER been mine! I have had to slow down and actually figure out what needs to be “absent” in my life so that I can be “present” with the people and work that matter. Even if I am on the phone with someone – I want to be present, not scattered, doing a million things, and half-listening. If connection is important, I have to make sure I have the capacity to “be present” wholeheartedly.

I have only scratched the surface of things that I am trying to find clarity on, and space that I am clearing out, and practices that bring life and hope and joy in 2026. But I know one thing – I have utmost clarity on the things that have been draining me this last year. I know what I must let go of…for me to know and you to “find out” (hmmm…maybe…)

Yes, I am in a demanding work/residency Clinical Pastoral Education program that has taken my energy, has exhausted me, and has challenged me beyond anything I have experienced for a very long time. But, this has also been life-giving and has brought to our family a new understanding of ministry, love, wholeness, boundaries and so much more! So, until the end of May, this is my commitment. These are my colleagues and educator that challenge me and grow with me.

However, there are other things that I must remember to tend to, as well as things to purge and pitch, things that need to be “absent” in order for me to be “present.”

2026!!! Here we are! There is much ahead. But I will work hard to make space, to clarify the essentials, and to continue to ask questions! And yes, Christine, I want to be “…a bright light of love, spread(ing) hope and generosity, and a reflection of God’s goodness…aiming for better days and thriving for ALL people.”

As my energetic sister would say, “Let’s gooooo!”