Authentic Voice

After talking for several years about writing a blog, the pandemic presented the perfect opportunity.  Looking back, I see my blogs tend to fall into three categories:  1) some bit of information or experience that caught my attention that I wanted to share; 2) some slice of life from this little town I now call home; or 3) something uplifting, some words of encouragement I hope to offer.  I can tell you the third category gets the most response.  How much we all seek to be uplifted!

As my pastoral duties take precedence, I sometimes struggle to give my blog the attention that fulfills me and hopefully provides something worth my readers’ time.  So I was struck by a daily post from the Frederick Buechner site I follow.  Buechner, a favorite author of mine, spoke of his early writing that had “very little” of his “life’s blood.”  Sometimes I have achieved the discipline of writing and posting without infusing it with as much of myself and my passion as I would have hoped.  For that I can choose to “offer myself some grace.” 

So my intention is to offer you my authentic voice always.  When I am faced with a blank page blinking back at me, and stumble to fill it with something that approximates that voice, perhaps you also will give me some grace!  More importantly, when there are times in your own life when you feel you haven’t measured up, when you have disappointed yourself, when you find yourself mired in some disconsolation or despair, discover the healing balm of giving yourself some grace. 

May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter.  Shalom, Kate

Hope’s Café Bonus:  from another favorite, John O’Donohue: “To Come Home To Yourself”

May all that is unforgiven in you

Be Released.

May your fears yield

Their deepest tranquilities.

May all that is unlived in you

Blossom into a future

Graced with love.      From To Bless the Space Between Us

(As my pastor friend Tonia says, “I bid you peace.”) 😊