Dear Daughters,
Sometimes I listen to the news, but I must limit myself because the news that sells is usually filled with conflict, covid and criticism – which if heard too often leads to a heavy dose of anxiety. If I try to find my stability in the news I hear from the world, I become wobbly and fearful, anxious and full of despair. I pray for people in our country and around the world, for politicians (those I agree with and those I don’t) but it is not healthy for me to focus intently on what is wrong in the world.
I recently read an article by Beverly Greer about an idea I have decided to adopt. She decided to start writing her own headlines – not to be published in the news – but headlines from her own world as she hunts for beauty, faithfulness and goodness. I too have started searching for good headlines to write, those that may be mocked by others as insignificant, never to land on the front page, but headlines nevertheless. Headlines to encourage patience and gratitude, perseverance and love. Here’s a few I have written for myself:
A butterfly climbs out of its cocoon this morning, glorious in all its beauty.
Family drops everything to come to Grandpa’s bedside as he enters his last days
and his body gives out
The sun rises over a deep canyon filled with liquid beauty.
The miracle of people flying in an aluminum tube above the clouds
The spikey beauty of icicles are seen on a simple windshield
Apples growing on a tree started by planting a single apple seed
A man and woman have been faithful to each other for 45 years
Starlings seen doing unimaginable acrobatics that would challenge the Blue Angels
A single sperm and egg unite and become a baby in 9 short months
To some, this may seem like a wasteful exercise and quite inefficient for people who are busy doing important things, but writing your own headlines is an exercise in faith. Faith that this world was created specifically to be beautiful and life-giving. Yes, it has been marred and broken, but God originally made all things good and He is delighted when we take the time to actually see and give thanks for such things. This is also an exercise in trust, knowing that
The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future... Do the truth quietly, without display.
Brennan Manning
Brennan Manning, who defines the intense love of God for his children to be the most powerful force in the universe, lived a life of simplicity. He looked for God’s goodness everywhere, because it is everywhere – if we take the time to look.
Writing your own headlines won’t make you money or cause the world to applaud your actions, but it just may bring you more peace and joy…
The marvel of the human body, the splendor of the universe and all its inhabitants are subjects that could keep us occupied for thousands of years. In his humility, God created not just one species of butterflies, but 17,500. He created not just our Milky Way galaxy, but millions more. The little blue dot we humans inhabit is miniscule compared to the rest of the vast heavens around us. And yet He made all things on this little dot for us to discover and be amazed. He rejoices when we give thanks for all He has given. As Jesus Himself says,
...I have told you these things so that in Me you will have peace. In this world you will have suffering, but take courage: I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
There is absolutely no end to God’s creativity in trees, fruit, feet, fingerprints, clouds, voices, snowflakes, personalities, body shapes, hair color, laughter, sunsets, leaves and the intricacy of all His creation. Every square inch of our world belongs to Him, on loan for us to enjoy.
What headlines can you write as you look around in your world today? Please leave a headline of your own in the comment section below.
Thank you!
Love, Mom
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