Share Four Somethings: August 2021

Oh, friends. The weight of the world just keeps on getting heavier, doesn’t it? I don’t have to make a list—you know what’s going on. Across the ocean, across state lines, across town, maybe even across your own living room.

And yet, can we also agree that joy can still be found? In quiet conversations, quiet walks, quiet moments outside? In our kids’ rippling laughter, the steady beat of a new favorite song, perhaps even in the overwhelming drone of cicadas at dusk (a sound that brings me back to childhood like nothing else)?

In this month’s installment of Share Four Somethings with Heather Gerwing, I’m including a few of those little things that have created rhythm in my days and, in turn, upped my joy level.

Something Loved

A few months ago, I wrote about my goal to be more creative with my flower pots this summer. You may recall that I actually did branch out a little bit—mostly by using red, white and purple petunias in my planters for the first time in many years.

By this time in our Kansas summer, the planters are looking a bit bedraggled. The heat and various insect visitors have taken their toll, at least on the foliage. But the petunias keep on flowering, so I keep on deadheading. Which, surprisingly, has become one of my favorite rhythms of this gardening season.

No matter when I do it—in the cool of the morning or the heat of the late afternoon—the mundane act of pulling off all those wilted, shriveled up blooms somehow settles my spirit and gives me a sense of accomplishment, if only until the next day.

Something Read (or Heard)

This month, it’s a song—one I’ve had on repeat since I heard it on the radio for the first time. I’ve added it to my running playlist, and I even listen to it while I’m doing planks and wall sits at night.

It’s by a (new-to-me) group called King’s Porch, and it’s called “I Speak Jesus.”

With all that’s going on in the world right now, this song reminds me that God hasn’t left us to fend for ourselves—He is with us, He is working, and there is power in His name.

Listen here:

Something Treasured

In late June, I traveled to Wisconsin with my younger sister to see my dad’s older sister. It was wonderful to see my 91-year-old aunt—one of the most positive, joy-filled people I’ve ever met—and revisit some of the places I remember from family vacations when I was a child.

It was also wonderful to connect more deeply with my sister, who is five years younger than me and lives in a different state. When you spend five hours in a car at a time, you’re able to have broader-reaching conversations than you can via text or even over the phone.

She’s further down some paths than I am, and I’m further down some paths than she is. We’re able to encourage each other, and I treasure that opportunity.

Something Ahead

I think I’ve found a running strategy that works for me. Every week, I try to go a little farther than I went the previous week.

I’m talking feet here, not parts of a mile.

It’s about running to the next tree. Up the next incline. Across the road that leads to the school. It may not sound like much, but that’s my kind of progress.

I don’t wear a sports watch or keep track of my time or speed. I have distance goal, but no set timeframe for achieving it.

As few as they are, I can feel the steps I add each week. Some days they feel good, some days they don’t. That’s why I’m doing planks and wall sits at night—if parts of my body get stronger, I figure, maybe the running will get easier too.

Until then, my daily goal is simple—to keep going until I’m done. (Seems like there’s a metaphor about life in there somewhere, but I ran to a new clump of shrubbery today and I’m too tired to figure it out.)

• • •

Now it’s your turn. I’d love to know your favorite daily rhythm, a song you have on repeat or your current fitness goal (however big or small). If none of those apply, pick another something loved, read (or heard), treasured or ahead to share in the comments.

• • •

Finally, you might remember that we had a random drawing for a sign here a couple of months ago. The winner just happened to be a dear friend who lives in one of the most beautiful places on earth. She sent me this picture of her sign in its new home.

We have a few of these “Live Life. Take Notes. Tell Stories.” signs left. They’re handcrafted by my husband Randy and on sale this week for $18, including shipping (U.S. addresses only). Contact me here if you’re interested.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Share Four Somethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, #HeartEncouragement and Grace & Truth