God has always been in the business of interruption. Who could imagine a parting of a sea? A divine voice speaking to humanity from a bush or under a fig tree? A young boy defeating a giant? Subverting the image of a Kingdom? And Its Divine revelation manifested through the baby growing in the womb […]
five minute friday
What Doesn’t Change After We Vote
A lot of life happens in four years. Stories contribute to it all. Our stories, others’ stories, and the bigger story God is writing through them. In November 2016, I wrote my reflections about the days after the Presidential election. https://stephaniejthompson.com/2016/11/14/the-hard-work-of-being-neighbors/ My own discontent, questions and desire to lean in to hear messages in the […]
When Disappointment Reminds Us to Open our Eyes
Sometimes, I am near sighted. This week culminated in a way I didn’t expect. I recently resumed a familiar rhythm that was interrupted last March. God provided purpose and provision in unexpected ways during that time and I was thankful. But I longed for a return to some rhythms that I missed. Three weeks ago, […]
Learning to Hold Space and Hope Rather Than Control
We tend to be fixers. Solutions become placebos to keep a certain comfortable narrative in place: “we keep residence in a world that affirms our expectations.” The problem is that living according to that premise will never bring fulfillment because nothing of this earth will satisfy. We hold little control. When brokenness unfolds as is […]
What Is Your Image of God?
God uses us to feed each other. Sometimes bodies. Sometimes souls. I savor Lauren Winner’s words, in her book Wearing God, Her observations and exegesis offer up an abundance of new understanding of God’s character. This image, in particular, lingers: “When I think about the hard work of labor, I realize that my unreflective assumption […]
Recognizing the Opportunities We Have to Bless Each Other
We belong to each other. Currently, in this surreal season of change, I am working as a Door Dash driver. God has repurposed me numerous times. Not surprisingly, I am led down a path that I never expected. And I am always blessed in ways I never expected. Originally, it seemed as if I was […]
