Shaping the Moral Imagination Through Story and Free Play & a new Storyformed Podcast

I’m excited to bring you another episode of the Storyformed podcast! We’ll go back to posting At Home with Sally & Friends podcasts again next week, and we have a separate Storyformed podcast in the works for the future! Kristen had a little trip to celebrate her anniversary and so Holly and I conspired with Sarah for this week. 

I’ve been thinking about the idea of developing a moral imagination in children. What does this mean?

Russell Kirk says the moral imagination is “an enduring source of inspiration that elevates us to first principles as it guides us upwards towards virtue and wisdom and redemption.”  

As parents, we are a part of helping our children develop their moral imagination. 

I believe one part of helping our children to develop a moral imagination is by reading them great stories with characters who see themselves as part of a larger story. In the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Pevensie children didn’t merely wander around Narnia, going here and there as they pleased, or for only their own pleasure. They quickly learned they were kings and queens who were needed to bring about life and order in a kingdom where darkness and fear had reigned for years. When our children read this story and others like it, they have the opportunity to imagine themselves as children who have a special and unique calling. If they can imagine themselves as a Lucy or a Peter in their own life, then maybe they can be brave in the midst of their own life and all its challenges.

What our children spend decades imagining may just come to bear witness in their lives as adults. Afterall, it takes having an imagination for any of us to have faith in God. If we can’t imagine God creating the world or God spitting the Red Sea for the Israelites, then our faith can become only ideas rattling around in our brain rather than a faith we are daily living out. 

It has been a joy this week to watch my two oldest talk about the books they’re writing. After years of reading biographies about writers and poets like C.S. Lewis, Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Emily Dickinson, and the great William Shakespeare, and watching my husband and I work on various writing projects, they’ve caught the writing bug. They believe they can write books, in part because they’ve caught a vision by reading the stories of these writers’ lives. They have no illusion that these writers' lives were not filled with challenges and difficulties, but they’ve also seen their perseverance, and fortitude in the midst of hardship. And so, my girls believe God can use them to bring forth stories into the world that carry a message of hope. 

You may be a doctor or an engineer or a farmer. Or you may have other family members who influence your home who plant seeds of ideas of what your children could become one day. In the reading of Farmer Boy or a biography about Jonas Salk (vaccine developer), your children have the opportunity to see not only you, as their parent, living out these vocations, but to also have the space to ponder how the characters of these books make choices. In Farmer Boy, Almanzo and his siblings are helping with summer planting and fall harvesting and wood chopping in winter. In this part of American history, life is challenging, yet Almanzo learns how to deal with all that comes his way. As your children read these stories, they can envision themselves as children who can be involved in helping in the family even if it means taking out the trash or unloading the dishwasher. 

Children also have the opportunity to develop a moral imagination through free play. As they read great stories, the characters and plot lines are likely to seep into their everyday life. In our home, my kids have a huge dress up tub where they can find a myriad of costumes to dress up in. Once they’ve imagined their character, retrieved an appropriate costume, they’re off to find props to play act the story in their heads. If the weather is warm, this usually means the free play is taking place behind our home in the trees of the foothills. As you might ‘imagine’ this is an opportunity for me to let go of my desire for the entry way to stay clean as they track props, costumes, snacks and the like in an out of the house. 

Their is no so-called productivity in their play. They aren't learning something the world sees as useful, or anything skill-related that they can put on their resume some day. But they are experiencing a wonder about their world and “learning to see with the inward eye, forming an interior self,” as Sarah Clarkson says, which will produce their identity and a belief they can contribute in God’s great story.

I pray the Lord will lead in you giving you a vision to develop a moral imagination in your children. As we present ourselves to the Lord, He can show us a path even when it seems no one has traveled it before. 

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SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW WEBSITE FOR STORYFORMED. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A WEEKLY PODCAST AND BLOG TO INSPIRE YOU WITH NEW IDEAS. 

KRISTEN AND I WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE LONG HAUL. CAN'T WAIT TO BE TOGETHER IN OUR PODCAST. WE SO ENJOY OUR TIME WITH YOU. HAPPY EASTER WEEK.

BOOKS FROM TODAY’S SHOW - STORYFORMED EPISODE #3 - Shaping the Moral Imagination Through Story & Free Play

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Mamas Facing Loneliness

      "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16 (NIV)

It may be hard to believe, but loneliness has been a constant companion for me for many years. It causes me to ache inside, sometimes, bringing tears to my eyes and a longing for community.  I yearn for like-minded kindred spirits-- who also "like" me!

    I love having close, intimate friends who "get" me; those who know all about me with all my quirks and petty sins, and still love me. I also enjoy being with friends who are passionate about the Lord, ministry, the Word, and family--who have ideals like mine, but who also love to have fun and celebrate life. My close friend must be someone who understands grace and giving grace, who has learned it by going around the track of life and by being humbled. There are not, in my intimate life, many who fit this longing and who also initiate relationally, as I think this is a lost art!

      For much of my life, I have felt so alone, invisible in my needs to the world of hundreds of people who buzz in and out of my life. Isolated from kindred spirits. Probably some of that feeling comes because I am too busy, and some because I hold ideals that are in a minority in this culture. But as I sit here tonight, I thought since I have felt loneliness so often through so many years, you might, too; and I wanted you to know you are not unusual or alone--there are many of us in the same boat!

       In a world of isolationism, breakdown of families for every reason--moving all over the world and being separated physically, divorce, differing ideals, and just plain lack of commitment--there is personal isolation in crowded neighborhoods. Rarely does one find the simple community of people who hold your values and your faith. Add to that isolation in church, and prospects for friendship can be bleak indeed.

       Yet, I realize it has been this very loneliness that has driven me to the Lord. He has heard me over and over again and He has used this longing to open my heart to others who have needs. Increasingly, He has used it to humble me in my point of need, so that I have more compassion for those who are also separated from support systems.

As a matter of fact, most of what I write about has come from my struggles. This particular puzzle of my life has brought with it choices:  to live out in grace and faith or to live in the darkness of depression. Choosing to believe in God's goodness, has been for me the story where I saw a God who loves me and shows me life and grace and light in the midst. It is through choosing to seek Him and to hold on to His hand and to believe in His friendship that I have found strength and a way to keep going.

       I also know so many young moms who struggle with loneliness during long days in their own homes with their little children. One idealistic young mom cried with me last week, saying, "I just went upstairs for four minutes to put away the laundry, and when I came downstairs, my three year old had used a permanent marker to draw all over the naked body of my 18-month old and then draw all over my favorite blouse--and the carpet! I thought to myself, 'Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Take care of these children? Stay home by myself and do this day in and day out? Am I not more talented than this? Will I never have a bigger life?'"

       I smiled at her story about the markers because it was familiar and yet, also felt what she felt. I  personally knew her feelings, as I'd had the same ones when my 3 oldest were all under 5!! This mama is so cute and fun and intelligent; it's just that she's carrying her ideals about family life and children in a circle of friends who don't understand her or support her in a 24/7 life of constant demand.

       So I just wanted you to know today, that you are not alone. God indeed loves you so much and is so very proud of your bringing life and beauty into your homes. He knows your struggles. He sees you and your need to be loved and appreciated and filled up.

However, now in my 60's, I find there are gifts that loneliness brought to me--and see that God was trusting me to learn wisdom because He was with me every day of my loneliness. God did not design this world to be isolated, but He created us to have community.

Please do not think I am talking about being super-spiritual, because I am not. But, because God cares about how I feel, he turned it out for my good because He understood my feelings and sympathized with the needs I felt in this fallen world. These are a few lessons I have learned.

1. Humility--that I cannot make it in life alone just by toughing it out. I really need God and I need others to help me to make it.

2. Compassion, instead of judgment of others. Understanding the needs of others because of my own deep needs. 

3. An acceptance for others who were not just like me. It was the kindness of friends who were different than I was that made me appreciate the friends I did have. When someone showed me kindness, I was so ver appreciative whether we were the exact same or not.

4. Thankfulness came to me slowly when I learned to have gratitude for those God had given when my pride might have kept me from friends who were different. These friends  became treasures because of their steadfast, loyal commitment over many years. I no longer required that my "friends" be just like me or have my values. Tolerant grace and love grew inside my heart.

5. Contentment has come over many years. My spiritual muscle has grown and I am so much better able to fill my life with beauty, meaning, purpose, work and creativity to hold me through all my days. I have quite learned to deeply enjoy my own inner-self  and my own company and to find sweet peace when I am alone. 

 I am still a lover of people at heart and adore being with my "besties" when it works out. But, I have made peace and beauty my world as I walk one day at a time. Maturity takes a lifetime, but God can be trusted to walk with us and to build exactly what our soul needs to survive, if we seek His love and rest in His company.

Of course, if I could, I would have you all into my little living room right now for tea, scones and chocolate. But as it is, I am going to pray for you. You must be a conductor of your own symphony and make a plan to place some pleasure, times with people, outings away from the messy home and sequestering with too many sinful children and one weary mom in one small place. Going to a park, create beauty, go out for a one woman date in a place you enjoy, or just anywhere will change your mood, ease your soul.--just don't stay and stew where you are! In time, loneliness will shape you to look more and more like Jesus when you walk through it hand and hand with Him.

      Do you feel loneliness is a big part of your life as a mama? What might the Lord want to show you in the midst of it? What can you do to reach out to another lonely mama to begin shaping a friendship that will last a lifetime?

Grace and peace to your hearts today.

My Different Child is Telling a New Story

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of you who have sent Nathan and me a note about how much you have been blessed by the book Different. He and I have been so encouraged and inspired by your letters and stories. I know that since so many of you have read his story, you will be excited to hear of some great news about him.

Something we have always believed in our family is that good stories are important. And no one took this to heart more than my superman, hero, "Different" boy, Nathan.

A little while ago I wrote a book with my hero boy Nathan. We told our story, honest, real, and authentic. It was called Different.

He wanted to because he believed stories are powerful and he wanted to let his be used by God to encourage the hearts of any who needed hope. Since we have told our story we have received countless letters from people around the world who connected with mine and Nathan's story and were given hope see God work in their own lives.

As his mom I could see from a young age that Nathan always wanted to be a hero-- he was the boy who would make swords our of sticks and adventure through the backyard conquering imaginary foes. Nathan was the boy who would gather all the kids in the neighborhood to play pretend inviting all of them to be apart of the story in Nathan's head. Nathan was the three year old little boy who insisted on being David in our family play of David and Goliath, because David was the hero. Nathan was my out-of-the-box, "different", boy who truly had the heart of a hero.

Nathan has always wanted to be someone that told a great story with his life. So it was only natural that when he finished high school, he decided he wanted to act and make movies. Nathan, (much to my surprise and trepidation), moved to New York and then LA following the call he felt God had placed on his heart to be a part of  and to tell hopeful, redemptive stories.

After living in La for a couple of years Nathan grew to have such a heart for the lost people he encountered daily, he wrote his first script about the Prodigal Son in hopes it would reach his generation with God's love. So after a lot of hard work and prayer, with a few friends cooperating,  they turned Nathan's script into a movie called Confessions of a Prodigal Son. It starred Kevin Sorbo, and is now on Netflix reminding all who watch it the redemptive story of the Prodigal Son and reminding us of the miracles God is willing to do with a different boy who had dreams of filming stories and seeing it come to reality.. 

Now Nathan is ready to tell a new story. He has embarked on a new journey with a new film called The Not so Good Samaritan. It is a modern retelling of the Good Samaritan story, a story Nathan keeps telling me is such a "relevant story for our world today" and one that can "offer God's hope to a world in need". 

But to make this we need your help. Nathan needs to pay for actors, cameras, lights, transportation, food, housing, and everything else that goes into making a worthwhile film. And to do this Nathan has set up a really neat Kickstarter to get people who catch this vision involved. Each donation comes with a particular reward that makes you a unique part of the creation of the film. 

If you decide to partner with Nathan in this, there are some fun and thoughtful gifts that he has prepared for those who support the movie. 

As a mama, I will be helping and supporting my sweet children's projects to the moon as they dream to bring God's kingdom messages to reality. If God puts it on your heart to be a part, we will all rejoice! 

Some of the rewards are: 

-A personal mentoring session or acting lesson for your "different" child with Nathan

-A role for the young actor in your life (with lines and a character name) in the film

-OR (for any of you moms looking for a break) A one night stay for two in a bed and breakfast here in Colorado Springs and a tea time at my house with me.

But all of these are just creative ways to thank you for getting  involved in helping my wonderful Nathan, storyteller,  this young creative man with a passion for helping people through redemptive stories, make his vision into a reality. But for it to happen we really do need your help. Even the smallest amount helps.

If we had...

100 people give $10 and

just 200 people give $25 

Or just 100 give give $50

This film could become a reality... But any involvement at all helps. And in a time when good stories are so needed I hope you will help us create this vision.

If you were encouraged by our story in Different, it would be so meaningful if you consider being a part of telling another redemptive story that can touch lives with God's love and help bring to life this film?

Check out more about the film and rewards here:

 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1408969248/the-not-so-good-samaritan

~

Thanks for taking the time to read this. And if you leave a comment and share this post, you can be entered into a drawing for a giveaway for 5 sets of Different that my publisher is offering to give away to you. A copy of Different and A Different Kind of Hero for 5 winners.

Please leave a comment about how you have enjoyed Different or let us know that you have shared this post and you will be entered to win. 

Thanks from the bottom of my mama heart for all of your encouragement you have given to us both!

 P.S. Contact Nathan with any questions through his website at :http://nathanclarkson.squarespace.com/

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What is a Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. A home for film, music, art, theater, games, comics, design, photography, and more. Kickstarter has funded musical albums, special Bible editions, children's books, movies and much more. It is a way that people can find out about and be a part of seeing real valuable creative projects come to life. 

Many people cannot ever hope to fund a worthwhile creative projects  unless people invest to help make these projects into a reality. It was through a kickstarter and many of you generous friends that Nathan was able to make his movie, Confessions of a  Prodigal Son. 

Controlling Life is a False Hope & a New Podcast!

Finally home and so happy to be able to look at a few weeks to breathe before taking off again for one more conference. What an amazing time I had with all the wonderful women who attended our London Mum Heart Conference. It has me dreaming about what comes next in Europe and the other places in the world where groups are growing.

Over the past few months, as people stand in line to talk at the end of conferences, I have reflected that so often, women want me to write about simple formulas that apply to their lives, their children, their own life puzzle. We all just want answers, NOW!

I could also see that like me, many wanted assurance that they were doing all of the right things to be sure their children would turn out ok. I have so many older mom friends who said, "I don't know why my child rebelled or became a prodigal! I did everything right that I knew to do!"

I also realized that because I made it to 60 and I am still alive, my kids made it through their years into adulthood with faith in tact, with vision for life, and still loved us, that somehow, I must have "done all the right things" or perhaps was more in control of my life.

Reality is I have never been in control and there were never formulas I could count on. Each child was extremely different. Each year was a new kind of stretch to my life, I always had challenges and kept looking for the time when life would settle down. My children have all gone through tough seasons and had doubts and trials amidst it all that required so much heart energy from me. 

Expecting to be able to control life, children, husbands, friends, church, family is a road that leads to disappointment. We cannot make life behave by just trying harder or getting the right book, planner or instruction. Truth is, God wants us to rest, to leave our burdens in His hands, to learn a little more every day, how to walk by faith, love and become more patient, work hard and enjoy our days that He has given. As I thought about these things, I remembered an article I wrote some years ago, right in the middle of the "messiness of life" that I hope will encourage you.

Seems I have never reached that magical point where my life is quiet, peaceful, slow, with all the details in my life organized. There are more balls in the air now than when our family was much younger!

After my London conference, I flew up to Scotland to be with Joy and then to Oxford to be with Sarah and finally we had a 3 day girls' time together. But, what I saw, again, is that my children's lives are not static! They are dealing with stresses, life decisions, disappointment, dreams, bills, health, friends, ..., LIFE!! And they both needed "Mama" and lots of talk time and some help along the days. 

And the violent car running down several people in London and deaths occurred in one of our favorite hang outs and we were just not in London that day--but that had an effect on all of us there. 

I am quite sure many people think that my life of travel is somehow a vacation and fun time. I do love traveling and being with my girls and my life from God has many gifts. But the reality is, I am still helping, talking, training, praying and being a mama mentor in the lives of all of my kids. Kristen and I have often talked about the fact that even grown ups (like all of us) long for help, love and input from a mom. 

Though my life is often very stressful and often  out of balance-- I can still walk with God, And have joy, enjoy my minutes and the ones in my life at each moment, and make it through one minute at a time.

My home is not in balance--I know that when we fly to 5 cities in 7 weeks, to host mom conferences,  that my house will get messier than usual and need a good cleaning when I get home. I understand that if I am going to be faithful to schooling when I am home and making meals and having quiet times in between all the prep for conferences--that things will pile up and go by the way side--but I also know I have a plan for getting it all together when I get home.

I know it will take all of us a few days just to sleep enough to have the energy to clean and straighten up--but I know that we will get to it and I will feel good about my home again.

As I have written before, I liked what a friend said to me, "The swinging hand on a clock is only in balance at one point while the fulcrum swings back and forth between the two sides."

And so my life goes--in perfect balance, rarely, once in a while--but always swinging between the two tensions.

My life wasn't in balance when I had 3 children under 5 and I had to nurse them and deal with ear infections and asthma.

My life wasn't in balance very often amidst the 17 moves--6 times internationally--seemed often I was packing or unpacking--

My life wasn't in balance when I had 3 teenagers and an elementary aged child who just wanted to play and read picture books,  while we were staying up late with our teens talking about all sorts of serious issues in life, and then getting up early with my wee, little fun one-with dark circles under my eyes.

And all the while these in my home wanted to eat, (which meant shopping, cooking and an endless stream of dishes) and wear relatively clean clothes and messes abounded--always cleaning and messing--straightening and cluttering. No balance but a lot of life and fun and discussions and work and corrections--a stream of life never ending, but flowing to yet another new challenge and season of life.

I think I would have been so much more content and joyful if I had just known at the beginning that life for me would not be balanced--but could always be meaningful--if I would just accept the limitations of each day, each season, each child, my marriage and my finances--none totally balance, perfect--but all a blessing--so that is what was going through my mind today as I was whizzing about.

I don't think scripture promises balance--Jesus's life was not balanced--he always had people chasing after him and someone was always criticizing him amidst the feeding of 5 thousands, healing lepers and forgiving prostitutes, holding children and blessing them and saying scathing things to the Pharisees--

Paul's life was certainly not balanced-- or even-keeled--amidst prison, ship wrecks, beatings, and teachings. Peter was traveling, teaching, being persecuted--yet all of these had joy, full hearts, love and time to reach out to and teach others.

So, I was contemplating today--that if I would just see this day and all that my puzzle brings as God's will, I would be content, joyful and enjoy rest in the moments of my days. 

 I spoke of these issues in my book, Own Your Life as well as  Different, because walking with God does not require perfect circumstances, just faith and faithfulness amidst it all. I hope it will encourage you to live well right where you are, to accept the limitations of your life, to enjoy the days you are given and to give yourself grace in the midst.

Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him

By Sally Clarkson, Nathan Clarkson

Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love

By Sally Clarkson

Do You Need a Place to Hide?

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

When evil-doers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

Though a host encamp against me,

My heart will not fear;

Though a war arise against me,

In spite of this, I shall be confident......

For in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

In the secret place of His tent, He will hide me;

He will lift me up on a rock."

When Joy was a little girl, we had a little weird closet at the entrance of our bedroom. It was a small, angular closet that was a bit awkward and wasn't suitable to hold much. But Joy found a use for it; she made it her little hiding place. We hung a battery operated lantern on a little nail, and she would take all of her stuffed animals inside and her beloved blanket and hide and pretend and play for hours.

When I read this verse--In the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent, He will hide me--I thought about this wonderful hiding place of Joy's--a safe place from the outside world, where no  one could find her, hidden in our room, and safe from all the visitors who came to our house.

It seems that I am surrounded with women who are in the midst of very difficult circumstances--hurting marriages, rebellious children; family members who are very ill; economic crisis; broken relationships and misunderstandings. I so wish I could somehow make all of these difficulties go away as I know the deep struggles so many are experiencing and the dark times of life. But, I think somewhere over the years, I realized that I had never really had a realistic picture of just what it meant to live in a fallen world. This is the broken place--heaven is the place where we will see justice and wrongs being righted and healing and deep, bubbling-over happiness and freedom from the burdens of life. 

The other day, I was talking with my children and they said,"You know, it seems like people think that our family is so sweet and perfect and that it is easy for us to be good and make right choices and that things have been easier for us than for their families.  But I wish they could see that the beauty of our lives and the messages we all talk about is as a result of mounting up over overwhelming difficulties, having faith in the darkest of times, putting up with impossible circumstances and difficult relationships. We have had to light candles of faith amidst the darkness and inconsistencies of our lives. I hate having people just think we are naturally sweet and good--they don't know the journey of faith it has cost us."

If you live long enough, your older children will share their perspectives and sometimes they hit the head of the nail in such a way that it gives clarity to where you are. I think that sometimes it is hard for children to bear the opinions of so many when their parents are a little bit more in the limelight. Those of us who are called by the Lord to write about ideals and to live boldly by faith often do so out of a desire to move in that direction and to live by faith that what we read in scripture is true--but not because we don't struggle and suffer and face fear.

I have realized that at heart, I am a very fearful person. So often, I awaken at night after a few hours of sleep, and the first feeling when I awaken is fear--fear of the future, of finances, for my children, and so on. Yet, I am learning so much, even now, about the importance of mounting up over fear by faith. 

As I study the stories of scripture, I find it was when people looked at their obstacles in life--the storms, the giants, the battles, that they became fearful and useless and defeated. But when they looked at God, instead of their fears, they became strong and conquered as they fought their battles and lived through storms and difficulties. Peter saw Jesus walking on water and started out toward him, and found himself walking on water, too! But when he turned his eyes to the waves, he became scared and began to fall.

Where are your eyes? On Jesus? or on the storm? Hebrews 12:2-3 says for us, "fixing our eyes on Jesus--(looking to Him, trusting in Him, depending on Him!), who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him (ponder Him, understand His life, His sufferings) who has endured such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."

The only way I have found peace and assurance and confidence in life to keep going, one step at a time, was to let Him hide me in the corners of His tent--to let Him fight my battles, to submit to His will, to say, "you be my defender and provider, because I am your child." Fixing the eyes of my heart on Him, on His face, on His integrity of character and strength, is the only way I could live by faith and not by fear.

It is in resting in His presence and strength and power and goodness, that we will find our hearts at rest. It is only when we patiently face the storms with, "This is too big for me to handle, but I am asking You to handle it for me," and then learning to wait--and sometimes wait and wait and wait, that we will see His purpose, ways and yes, salvation from our storms. I wish I had learned at a much earlier age not to struggle so and worry and fret--it did me no good, and now I see how very faithful God was--He just didn't always do it my way!

It took David almost 25 years after he was anointed to be king, until he was made king over all of Israel, yet God was faithful to His promises. May our wonderful, real, present Lord give you the grace today, to hide in the secret place of His shelter, like Joy did as an innocent child in the secret places of our own home--to look at Him and keep your eyes on Him, as He delivers you in your time of trouble and lifts you up in your weariness. 

As I grow older, I am so very aware that He has been with us, He has always heard my prayers and He lovingly works and wants us to, like David, see His light and salvation. Grace to you in the midst of your lives. May His beauty and strength lift you up today.

 He is good and He wants us to hold fast. Grace and peace.

Creation's Witness of God

THE WITNESS OF CREATION

Walking arm and arm along the canal pathway in Oxford the other night as I traveled to visit Sarah, we were casually chattering away when the sky burst forth with the more wondrous sunset, reflecting on the water in colors of fire, with the loveliest of birds singing as if in worship. It was a moment not to be ignored, an unavoidable flourish of the magnificence of God's presence with us. It was as though He was speaking, "I am here. I am with you. I am living. I care to bring you joy."

I have learned that one of my most important areas of stewardship for me to stay alive spiritually,  is to cultivate a personal, inspirational, and intimate knowledge of God. In Romans 1:20, Paul told us that, "Since the creation of the world His [God's] invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made."

This means that through creation we can discover his invisible attributes: what God is like, his eternal power, the strength of his might from eternity past until eternity future, the very nature of his personality. His signature is on everything he has made! And he made all of these pleasures as a love gift to us that we might perceive him more clearly.

In other words, if I want to know what God is like—if I want to see a visible reflection of his nature—then one of the best and most complete teachers is nature, the platform of his original work

Through nature, we observe that ours is a God of variety. Think about the plethora of his creation. Countless colors, shapes, personalities, and sounds. Insects, fish, birds, puppies, hippos, and penguins. Textures soft, hard, rough, jagged. Temperatures icy cold and steaming hot. Designs of stripes, polka dots, circles, squares, rectangles. Dimensions immense and tiny, fragile and powerful. We can listen to sounds and learn that God is musical: birds chirping, bees buzzing, leaves chattering in the wind, cows mooing. He even had angels singing at his birth. We observe that he is orderly by looking at the design of a cell or noting the predictability of a sunrise and sunset or recognizing the constancy of the seasons. We observe his power through storms, waterfalls, and beasts.

My heart longs for a God who enters my world, my dreams, joys, pains, insecurities--but also one who is a kindred spirit with my joy in feasting with friends, hugging my sweet oldest child after being away for so long, the joy of seeing spring come after long cold winters, the depth of loving deeply or singing loudly or running in the cold morning air--a God who is alive in all of my worldly places as well as my spiritual thoughts.

God has inscribed a book about himself, and we can read it by paying attention to the things that are in our lives every day: our yards, the storms, the night sky, the sea. His imprint is everywhere.

The key to enjoying God in every moment of these daily pleasures is to open the eyes of my mind to see and to appreciate what he has given. A thankful heart galvanizes the connection between my God and me.

Recently, one of my sons returned home after spending a time in New York City. The typical preparations we make for a loved one's returning include drawing "I love you" signs and posting them all over the house and the front door, baking a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies, cleaning the house, lighting candles, putting on favorite music, and serving a feast of the returnee's choosing. Though my son had experienced these meals and celebrations so many times before, he cherished them all the more after having been away for a year. At the end of the evening, he said, "Mom, you can't imagine how thankful I am to be home and how blessed I am to have your great cooking again. Thanks so much for going to the trouble. I appreciated every moment of our time together tonight."

My pleasure in having worked so hard to welcome him increased immeasurably because of the appreciation he expressed. I felt closer to him, and because his love for me was more on a reciprocal level, we have experienced more mutual sharing and closeness as one adult to another instead of just the immature love he gave as a youngster. Now that he has grown up and doesn't take home for granted, he gives a worthier praise.

Similarly, when we really see that God is a wonderful Provider and has gone to great lengths to make our earthly home pleasurable, we will appreciate him more and our hearts will be lifted to thank him. It is when we come to see what he has given that we begin to be mature. It is when we understand that God's gifts are with consideration of our truest needs—for love, beauty, purpose, belonging—instead of for our selfish gratification, material possessions, ownership. When we are humble and appreciative of who he really is, then we move down the road to a more foundational intimacy with him. But without a heart of thanksgiving, in which we recognize his chosen gifts, our joy will not be full.

Dancing with My Father: How God Leads Us into a Life of Grace and Joy

By Sally Clarkson

What Makes a Great Story & a New Storyformed Podcast

As I am taking a break, traveling with my sweet girls, I am struck with their sense of purpose, their grasp of the meaning of their lives and how to invest them as young adults, and their love for God.

Of course, each of our children must respond to God from their own heart, but I think that my children were drawn to Him through the understanding of the opportunity we each have to play our part in the story of God. Unless we attach our children to the sense of God's call in their lives, their lives will not be drawn to the eternal, the kingdom principles God wants us to live for, the citizenship that we have in heaven with Him. We cannot focus our children's eyes on this world and its values, but we must look beyond to God's purposes.

Join Holly as she leads our discussion and podcast today and be encouraged in your own journey on the story-formed life.

As mothers, we all desire for our children to see themselves as unique humans who have a story to live and tell in God’s great narrative. As we read them great stories with a clear good vs evil theme, we’re helping them to see how they might choose good in their world.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

How do we help our children to be drawn into a beautiful story rather than being lured away into a private world of screens, which are so prevalent in our society? It’s easy to give them a lecture and explain the benefits of reading over watching a screen or playing a video game, but as we might imagine it comes back to modeling. 

If we desire our children to love reading, we must love it first, and allow them to see us reading consistently. No amount of telling them the wonders and riches that come from great books will matter to them if they don’t see us loving the process of learning and growing. What we are excited about, talking about, and living out will be what they will also be excited about! As we prepare a feast of great literature before them in our homes, they will grow to love books. How could they not?

As Jesus asked his disciples to follow Him, so we are asking the same of our children every day. We want them to follow us we pray, as we learn to love one another, and as we discover the traces of the Great Story in books. 

In developing a daily habit of reading aloud to your kids, even if it's just ten minutes a day, you’re leading them to know reading as a normal part of life. Even if your children are small, asking them one or a few questions about the picture book you just read, is causing their mind to expand and grow. Their minds are like spongy fertile soil in which you have the opportunity to plant, water, and cultivate every day. 

So, how do we know what a great story is? We want to give them the very best stories written just as we want to feed them the most nutritious food. 

Here is some criteria in determining a great story:

• it includes an intriguing and well-written narrative with complex characters who come alive;
• it stimulates the imaginations, minds, and hearts of both children and adults;
• it is often a timeless classic, fairy tale, or chapter book;
• it includes characters worth emulating or ones that lead a child to explore the tensions and complexities lying in the human heart;   
• it presents good as good and evil as evil;
• it hints in some way at the Great Story of God's redemption in Christ.

Beautifully-written stories can shape the imaginations of our children. A good story is a gift to our children— a gift that enables them to see the mystery and magic of our world now, and a preparation for what is to come.

You know your children better than anyone, and you are the one God is holding responsible to shepherd their hearts. Young children don’t have a filter to decipher what is good for their eyes to see and their ears to hear.

I wish I could say I never had any more regrets about what I've allowed my children to listen to or watch. A terrible mom-moment for me came when we allowed our eight year old daughter to listen to an audio version of this book. Sadly for me and terrifying for her, she woke up that night and ran through the halls in her sleep with her eyes bulging from her head and screaming in terror. I was quite distraught, to say the least, by this sight and felt horrible for allowing her to listen. Hindsight is 20 /20! 

But making some regrettable decisions has caused me to be more prayerful. Sometimes what a booklist might say is age appropriate for a child, may not be true for your particular child. Don't ignore what you sense the Lord is leading you to or away from for your children. Pray that the Lord will give you as their mother, a sense of what you should put before them to be part of the process of shaping and molding them in this season. 

Read on!

Books and links from today’s show - Storyformed Episode #2 - What MAKES a Great Story

Reading at Risk Article

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Find Your Smile!

"In quietness and rest shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15

Have you ever had a child who, late in the evening, started going ballistic over seemingly nothing at all? Then a fit of loud wailing began, and then suddenly, in almost a moment, said child almost passed out in deep sleep?! Then you realized, "Oh, she (or he) was just exhausted and needed to go to sleep." You promised yourself that next time you would be more aware of the signs and vigilant to put the child to bed earlier.

Well, slowly, I am learning to read my own signs. Each of us has our own puzzle. Mine is very different from most because of our ministry, travel and writing, added to the other piles of responsibility of taking care of my family. Very few friends I know live my kind of life,  or my puzzle, so I cannot compare or live under the same standards as them.

I am not feeling so strong lately. My spirit is more likely to complain. My body is a little bit more than tired. My perspective is cloudy. From many years of living through various seasons, I am learning to monitor myself when signals suggest I have been overloaded for too long. Just like the baby in the above example, God has allowed our bodies to speak to us.

Instead of worrying about my spiritual life, or living in self-condemnation, or pondering deep things, I am more likely to look at my physical needs, and then I realize--I need to take some sabbatical days soon!

Recently, somewhere, deep in the night hours,  cuddled up under my covers, much to my sweet relief, I awakened and it seemed there was a smile in my soul---almost like I was a little girl again, free of the burden of responsibilities, light as a cloud, smiling in the soft warmth of my covers with a sense of excitement, "all is well and good things are awaiting" sort of feeling.  A pleasant feeling emerged from my heart: "I am resting, living in peace, restoring, and it is good."

So often, we give and give and give and then wonder why we become grumpy or short in patience. But God has put rhythms into our lives to remind us just how much we need our bodies to go completely away from the stress of normal days in order to better cope with the demands of life.

The day has a cycle about it--so many hours of light and darkness. In the light we can see to read, to work, to be active--but darkness was (and is!) meant to be a signal of closing off the day and its duties.

Sabbath was also instigated by God to remind us to stop, to put aside work, to cease from frenzy, to rest and cultivate peace.

In our 24/7 world, with false lights to keep us up and working all hours of the day, 24 hours of internet, 24 hours of TV, cars with lights that can travel all hours, etc., we lose the concept of rest and refreshing.

No wonder there are so many stress diseases--heart, obesity, thyroid problems, nervous disorders, depression, mental disorders, and emotional disorders. We are busy all the time, guilty for all we do not get done and wearing ourselves out. I realized many years ago that I was becoming very ill from so much push, push and work, work, work. I also realized that no one else was going to take responsibility for my health and well-being but me.

One of the reasons moms yell at their children is that they never get a break. Grumpiness and anger comes from pushing, pushing, pushing.

An hour of rest and getting away was a regular rhythm in our home. Every afternoon, I put a pot of tea on to boil and poured out cups of tea, or little sippy cups of juice or whatever seemed good, and everyone learned by training to go to their "places" for a personal time. I could not have done without my hour of peace each day. I trained my children to it early, and it gave me the ability to have a one woman tea time.

I also committed to Sabbath rest on Sundays--closed all of my "work" on Saturday and did not pick it up until Monday. It was all still there when I got back to it, but the world did not fall apart when I did not work on Sunday--but, I was much more able to keep up the demands of my life when I took off and made Sunday a day of worship, rest, pleasure, fun, and naps for me.

Work and travel chases me every day, demanding my life's blood. I have to rule over this force that would overcome me.

Stop. Put it all aside. Rest.

My mind needs it, my body needs it, my spirit needs it. As a woman who is attempting to grow in maturity in the Lord, I have had to be intentional about being sure that I include rest, refueling, restoration and inspiration into my own personal life-not just once in a while, but regularly so that I can keep going and going and going.

When I stop, my soul smiles a little more.  This week, join me in finding your own smile!

Will You Share Your Heart? {Podcast Survey}

Kristen and Sally in New York City dreaming up ideas for the Podcast in 2015.

Five national Mom Heart conferences, a book launch and finishing the writing of another book put me in a mind to take some days just to play with my bf's and daughters, Sarah and Joy. And so I am taking leisure with them this week and enjoying every minute of it.

But the Storyformed podcasts on Monday are to give you a view of what we are starting and to give me a vacation and to give Kristen time to work on our messages coming in April.

But, before I left, Kristen and I planned and schemed about some wonderful ideas we have ahead for our friends who listen to at home with Sally and Friends. Do not fear--we are not replacing our podcast, we are just adding another with Holly and some of our dear friends. But Kristen and I did think it would be great to hear from some of you so we can be sure to make our podcast a place you will continue to keep coming to spend time with us. Kristen had some thoughts she wanted to share. We both look forward to hearing from you!

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Sometimes, God orchestrates dreams and connections that are beyond our own imagination.

He takes our loaves and our fishes, the humblest of our offerings and He is able to turn them into a feast. He allows our work to be a delight and sometimes, He even allows us the honor of others finding delight in what we do as well. That's what the At Home With Sally and Friends podcast has felt like from the beginning for me. Over a year and  half ago, Sally and I began podcasting on a bit of a lark.

We have always cared deeply about communicating a vision of motherhood that was steeped in Scripture and attended to the whole heart of a developing child, as well as mothers themselves. We began to dream and to wonder if moms might resonate with our voices in addition to the written word, if they might feel like they had a friend who was nearby, ready to encourage and equip them, and if perhaps, they might feel a little less lonesome if we could have a conversation together.

And so we began.

We pulled out our lap tops and mics in the quietest spaces we could find in our busy homes and we hit record on an app we purchased and prayed would really work! We had a learning curve with technology, have had numerous times that barking dogs and nursing babies made their presence known on the show, and we wondered if anyone would listen in! Our times recording together became sacred to us and we both found that we were having so much fun! Somehow, even though neither of us are particularly skilled when it comes to this technology, our loaves and fishes went out into the world and returned as a feast. God began to move and carry these messages and fill our inboxes with your comments and we were in awe! We had no idea how many of you would join us for our chats when we started!

Today, literally hundreds of thousands of women are a part of this podcast community, listening in each week, encouraging one another (and us!), and truly, I believe, becoming world-changers as they cultivate beauty in their homes and their world. With all the growth we have seen this year, our own vision for the podcast is expanding. We want to serve you well, help to equip you in the areas you feel weak. We want to talk about things that are  burning in your heart, share teaching that you are hungry for, and make it easy for you to share these podcasts with others.

As we plan and pray about how this ministry will continue to flourish, we'd love to hear from you. Would you take a few minutes and share your heart with us? The following survey is completely anonymous (although there is a place to enter your name and email if you'd like!) and your feedback will be invaluable to us. We are so humbled to be able to share our lives with you through this ministry and to connect with you in any way we can. We really can't express just how much it means to us to have you here with us.

With such thankfulness for your help and friendship,

Kristen Kill & (Sally)

The Podcast Survey

Plan a Special Time For Your Children!

I am having so much fun visiting my sweet Joy in Scotland this week. We have talked about so many memories, fun times and this memory came to  mind. Even tonight, we are sitting on our bed at our bed and breakfast, eating chocolate, nibling English biscuits and watching the end of a fun movie on her computer. Still love being bf's together, making new memories being friends. Invest in your future friendship with your own sweet ones today and tell me what you are doing.

"Weary to the bone" describes how I felt. Six weeks of battling asthma with Joy in the middle of the night had left me exhausted. Sarah, too, had been diagnosed with a possibly serious disease and faced more doctor's appointments. Clay had had to work out of town four days each week for two months. Our home was showing signs of stress, and piles of miscellaneous stuff accumulated all over the house.

"Quickly take the unfolded laundry and extra stuff to my bedroom," I pleaded with the kids. "My women's Bible study starts in a half-hour, and I need to make the living room presentable. I'll deal with the bedroom later." Everyone hurried around to tame this tornado of messes—or at least to transfer it. Then they all disappeared into my bedroom to watch a movie. "I can't think about this or deal with it now or I'll get depressed," I told myself as I closed the door to my now-cluttered bedroom.

Three hours later I said good-bye to the last woman. Sighing, I walked down the hallway to my bedroom to cope with the mess. I opened the door with dread, then gasped at what I saw. The room was sparkling clean, my sheets were turned down, and a vanilla candle flickered on my bedside table. Even my closet was immaculate. I sank down on the couch in my bedroom. Until that moment I hadn't realized just how discouraged I had been or how much I needed to feel loved and cared for.

A beautiful note sat atop my pillow.

 Sweet Mama,

You have served us so generously in so many ways. I wanted to serve you and help you with your room. I love you so much. Sweet dreams!

Sarah

Often our children, like me, don't even know that they need us to serve them, and often they don't seem to notice what we do for them. Yet if we faithfully plant seeds of love and care in their hearts, in due time we will indeed reap a harvest in kind.

During times when our family life seems too busy or too stressful, I sometimes plan an "joy adventure" experience for my family to show them my love and appreciation. Many years ago, for instance, I climbed out of bed early one morning. The stars were still in the sky when I slipped out the door and drove to the grocery store to buy some fresh cream-cheese croissants and chocolate-covered doughnuts. Since I have made my own bread out of freshly ground grains at home for years and we are a natural food family most of the time, I knew donuts would be an "out of this world" treat.

I sneaked back into the house before anyone had stirred (except Clay, who had already gone to work). I placed the pastries on a pretty china platter, poured cold milk into a pitcher, made a pot of tea,  lit some candles and a fire in the fireplace, and turned on a melodic CD. I quickly placed a card of encouragement on the coffee table for each person. Then I gently awakened the kids and invited them to a little ordinary morning celebration. One child who had been particularly trying for several weeks, smiled with sprinkles all over his face and said, "I think the Clarksons are the best family in the world." Seems shaking up our day even helped him to have a better attitude for a few days--attention and love invested often solve a lot of tensions in life.

We all had a fun time of talking, eating, and praying together before the day began. "Let's do this again!" was everyone's request!

Try planning your own adventure, unexpected fun time with your kids. Choose a favorite or special treat. (Make sure that all conversation is positive. This should be a time of encouragement, not a time of lecture!)

The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity

By Sally Clarkson