Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

A Lesson in Lighting: Shalom In Our Stories

Last updated on: August 14, 2014 at 8:51 am   by Kaitlin B. Curtice

A Lesson in Lighting: Shalom In Our Stories 2014-08-14T08:51:49-04:00 Kaitlin B. Curtice

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The apartment is still coming together, slowly but surely.

I worked on the balcony today, and to my joy, the air outside was a breezy 75 degrees, so I was comfortable as I worked.

shovelplant

There’s a great deal of peace, of shalom that comes with a home that’s put together, to a space that has room for every little thing–

Now, I don’t always do it well. There are definitely odd things in odd places, but organization is a constant process, like the way we try to find God in all spaces, every day.

There are stories to be written inside these walls.

There’s lemonade to make and there are veggies to chop.

There are babies to be snuggled with and a dog who needs a wrestle.

Today, there are candles lit. Little tea lights that give shine to shadowed corners and forgotten nooks.

There are boys munching on tortilla chips and I must quiet my heart again and give thanks for the sweetness here.

chip

In the end, it doesn’t matter exactly how we decorate, what style blog we follow or Pinterest board we imitate.

But the objects we place around us call out the stories in us, and in the corners and at the couches, around the tables, we share.

When all is gone and we gather with only our hands and feet and worn souls, the lives we’ve created in these places live on.

vase

So, create your space. Give yourself to that empty sunroom, that unkept and never-decorated area that’s been calling for attention.

Create and create again every day after, until your life becomes word and flesh, rhythm and prose.

Light your dark corners, fill a pot with flower and soil, and breathe in deep.

This. This is life, and this is our story.

lightcandles

Adventure

Lessons

adventure

apartment decorating

balcony decor

candle light

motherhood

peace

shalom

Previous Post



August 9, 2014

The 12th Day

Next Post



August 23, 2014 Making Muffins in the Land of Moriah: A Letter to my Son


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent 2016 Adventure Community & One Another Contemplation Lent 2016 Lessons Motherhood Native American Heritage Month 2017 Native American Spirituality Politics & Social Justice Prayer Remembrance Seven Gratitudes Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 August 2013 March 2013 February 2013 November 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012


Follow Us!

Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem after the exile?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ezra Nehemiah Zerubbabel Joshua

Related posts from Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

Progressive Christian

LEARNING TO BREATHE IN THE WORLD

Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

Progressive Christian

When The Good Things Become Visible

Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

Progressive Christian

Do Not Be Afraid If God Is Not...

Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

Progressive Christian

JESUS & US: a shared wilderness

Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian

Paul Young’s Return to the Shack: God’s Love...

I’ve been waiting for Wm. Paul Young’s sequel to The Shack for...

Prayer for the Earth, to the Earth

What if we asked the Earth to pray for us? This lyrical...

An Insightful Look at Age-Gap Relationships in Scripture

If you've paid any attention to social media over the past 20...

Was God Silent for 400 Years, or Just...

God’s Global Footprints Across the Ages: How the Creator Has Always Been on...

Brandy Anderson, Team Weird, and Transcending Church

I met author Brandy Anderson on Heretic Happy Hour, when podcaster Keith...

Why Christians Have a Sacred Duty to Vote:...

The Bible offers strong support for the sacred duty to vote. Here...

view all Progressive Christian blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube