House on the Rock

It’s quite possible that last week’s post came across a bit…dismal. I basically ended with the promise to think about sad things more. And while I do want to grow in acknowledging hardship and running to the Lord in prayer, that doesn’t mean there’s not room to celebrate the good. Sorrowful yet always rejoicing — here’s what has me singing lately:

1. Peaches. Anyone else in agreement that this year they’ve become abundantly better than ever before? Sweet, soft, bursting with flavor. A current hobby of mine is letting little Luke bury his face in the mashable mesocarp (looked that up), tracing a cascading stream of juice down his arm to the elbow, swiping it up with my own forefinger and sharing in all its peachy sweetness.
2. Light yellow nail polish. I know we’re leavin’ pastel season, but it’s been a summer for that sunny pale polish. It makes arms feel tanner and days seem brighter. Here’s to hoping this yellow trend lasts!
3. Heel-elevated goblet squats. My desperate efforts for a money-saving workout scheme landed me with a small set of dumbbells and my living room floor. Thanks to Clara on Instagram, I recently learned that elevating one’s heels is a great way to challenge the quads, engage the core, and enhance the squat overall. All fancy fitness lingo aside, I usually plop my little heelies up on Tara Westover’s hardback bestseller Educated (don’t own any gym plates!) and squat the day away. Huge thanks to Clara, Tara, and my little Pair’a dumbbells.
4. The 50s of the Psalter. I know the sweetness of Psalms 8, 19, 23, 121… but the “mid-fitties been hittin’” lately. (Delete later). I was recently walking with a girl who was enduring intense betrayal by her lifelong friend, a woman with whom she had long attended church and interwoven much of life. I was astounded to find that there’s literally a Psalm for that (shoutout 55!) Such real, raw, restless soul-spilling by David in turmoil ends in worship every single time. Might I end all my days in that way!
5. Finally (for now) — and I can’t believe I’m saying this — that crisp morning air that promises all the freshness of fall. I am usually one to white-knuckle summer until Halloween hits, but something about this year (perhaps a blastin’ hot July) is beckoning me to breathe in the cooler temps and finally befriend an Indiana autumn. The pumpkin cream cold brew also helps (not an ad).

Sometimes I wrestle with the fact that people subscribe to this blog and I can craft nothing more substantial than talk of fruit and fall. Shouldn’t I be more theological? Poetic? Meaningful? Mature? But if even for a moment this post might consider you to reflect on the gifts you’ve been given — from Scripture to Starbucks to slanted-step squats — then maybe it’s not so bad after all.

Glory to the Giver of every good gift! Let’s celebrate His kindness today.