I could be doing 20 other things right now. The dishes are calling, the laundry’s lurking, and I know I should double-check the packing list… but here I am—writing. Not because I have to, but because this moment deserves to be marked.
It’s time. Time to pack the car. Time for vacation. Time for spindle spinning.
There’s something sacred about these threshold moments—when we move from the everyday into the extraordinary. The hum of routine fades away. It is replaced by the rustle of maps. You can hear the buzz of zippers and the clink of water bottles being tucked into side doors. And nestled between sunscreen and snacks? My spindle.
Because no matter where I go, the rhythm of spinning grounds me. Whether I’m sitting by a lake, I feel at home. I feel at home perched on a cabin porch. Or I feel at home stealing a few quiet moments before everyone else wakes up—spindle in hand.
So yes, there are 20 other things I could be doing. But I choose this: The gentle weight of wool, the whisper of twist, the promise of rest.
We are now entering the heart of summer. The days stretch longer. The world seems to slow down just a bit. For many of us, this season offers the perfect opportunity to step back from our busy lives. It allows us to reflect on the rhythms of rest that God has designed for us. It’s a time when we can honor the Sabbath, not just as a day off. More than that, it is a spiritual discipline that helps us reconnect with our Creator.
In Exodus 20:8-10, God commands us to “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” But what does that really mean for us today? How can we incorporate Sabbath into our lives? Our time is often consumed by responsibilities. We also have many tasks and distractions.
The Call to Rest
The concept of Sabbath rest isn’t just about taking a break from work. It’s about pausing to recognize God’s presence. It also allows ourselves to be renewed by Him. God established the rhythm of work and rest from the very beginning of creation. After six days of creating the world, He rested on the seventh day, setting an example for us. The Sabbath is a sacred time to step away from our labors. It is a moment to focus on what God has done in our lives. We also consider what God is doing now.
In the midst of a busy summer, it can be easy to forget the importance of this spiritual practice. The hustle of our everyday routines can prevent us from slowing down enough to truly rest in God’s presence. But the Sabbath reminds us to stop, reflect, and breathe in His goodness.
Rest as a Gift
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This invitation isn’t just for those who are physically tired. It’s for anyone feeling the weight of the world. It’s also for those carrying emotional or spiritual burdens. Jesus promises to give us rest—a rest that refreshes our souls and brings us peace.
Summer can be a time to experience this rest in new ways. We can spend time in nature. We can enjoy a slower pace of life. Or we can simply sit in quiet reflection. In these ways, we allow God to renew us. The Sabbath calls us to embrace this gift of rest. It allows our minds and bodies to be restored. This way, we can fully experience the peace that only God can give.
Embracing God’s Presence
As we pause to rest, we also pause to recognize God’s presence in our lives. Summer is a wonderful time to slow down. It is a perfect time to take in the beauty of creation. We appreciate the flowers in bloom, the sun shining brightly, and the stillness of a quiet evening. These moments invite us to remember that God is in all things, and in His presence, we find true rest.
But true rest isn’t just about being physically still. It’s about spiritually resting in God’s arms. It’s about surrendering our worries, releasing our anxieties, and allowing His peace to wash over us. In these sacred moments of stillness, we hear His voice. We feel His comfort. We experience His love in a deeper way.
How to Practice Sabbath in the Summer
Create Space for Silence – Take a walk in nature or enjoy a quiet moment with a cup of tea. Sit in your favorite chair with a Bible in hand. Carve out moments of silence to reflect on God’s goodness.
Disconnect from Distractions – The summer heat can often lead to a slower pace. Use this time to disconnect from screens. Step away from emails and social media. Embrace the freedom of being present in the moment.
Enjoy the Outdoors – Spend time outside, taking in the beauty of creation. Go for a walk in the park, sit by the lake, or simply enjoy a sunset. These moments remind us of the Creator’s handiwork.
Worship and Reflect – Take time to worship, either in a community setting or privately. Singing hymns, reflecting on scripture, or simply praying can help us reconnect with God’s presence.
Hymn for the Day: Take Time to be Holy
Closing Thought: In this busy world, it’s easy to feel like there’s always something more to do. But the Sabbath is a gentle invitation to slow down, rest in God’s presence, and embrace His peace. This summer, let’s commit to honoring the Sabbath as a sacred space to be renewed and restored. Remember that the rest we find in God is not just a pause from work. It is a deep and lasting peace that fills our souls.
May this mid-week pause encourage you to take a step back, breathe deeply, and find rest in God’s loving arms.
(shared during worship at Linden Park Community United Church)
Have you ever looked at your own hand and seen a prayer?
I recently started praying with my fingers. No fancy words—just five simple requests that come from the heart. Each one is anchored in scripture and rooted in my deep longing to walk closer with God. I call it the Five-Finger Prayer, and it’s become a daily rhythm, a spiritual check-in, and a beautiful reminder of how God shapes us, one step (or finger) at a time.
Let me walk you through it.
👍 Take Me
Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
It all begins here: surrender. I offer myself to God. All of me—my plans, my fears, my gifts, and even my broken pieces. I hold nothing back. This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about saying, “Here I am, Lord. Take me.”
☝️ Love Me
Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
After surrender comes the hard part: receiving. Sometimes it’s easier to believe that God loves others than to believe He truly loves me. But He does—with a love that never lets go. Every day, I pray, “Love me, Lord.” Not because I doubt Him—but because I need to be reminded.
🖕 Wash Me
Psalm 51:2 – “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
This is the tallest finger. For me, it represents my need for God’s grace. We all carry things we wish we didn’t. Guilt. Shame. Regret. But the good news? God doesn’t just cover over our sin—He cleanses it. “Wash me, Lord,” I pray. “Make me new again.”
💍 Fill Me
Ephesians 5:18 – “Be filled with the Spirit.”
The ring finger symbolizes union, covenant, and connection. It reminds me that I can’t do this alone. I need the Spirit to fill me—again and again. I ask for strength, wisdom, peace, and joy. “Fill me, Lord. Pour into me what I can’t find on my own.”
🤏 Use Me
Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
This is the pinky. It is the smallest finger, but it reminds me God can use even the smallest act. Even the simplest “yes.” I don’t need to be famous, perfect, or powerful. I just need to be willing. “Use me, Lord,” I whisper. “Wherever. However. I’m yours.”
👐 A Daily Practice
Sometimes when I don’t know what to pray, I just hold out my hand and go finger by finger:
Take me
Love me
Wash me
Fill me
Use me
Simple. Honest. Transformative.
🙏 Want to try it?
Take a moment. Look at your hand. And pray this with me:
“Take me, Lord. I surrender all that I am. Love me. Let me receive the fullness of Your grace. Wash me clean of anything that holds me back. Fill me with Your Spirit and Your strength. Use me to bring hope, peace, and love to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Let this prayer shape your day. Let your hand remind you that you’re held, loved, and sent.
📌 If this blessed you, you are welcome to print the Five-Finger Prayer Card. You can also share it with someone who might need it.
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There’s a tiredness that goes deeper than just needing a nap.
It’s the kind that settles in your chest. It makes your shoulders feel heavy. It leaves you wondering if you’ll ever truly feel rested again. It’s the tiredness of carrying too much for too long—grief, worry, responsibility, regret.
And into that tiredness, Jesus speaks these gentle words:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
What a simple, beautiful invitation.
🌿 The Rest We Really Need
Jesus doesn’t say, “Come to me if you’ve got it all together.” He doesn’t say, “Come to me after you’ve figured it out.”
He says: Come.
Right now. Weary? Come. Burdened? Come. Confused, heartbroken, overwhelmed? Come.
You don’t have to carry it all. You were never meant to.
🛑 What Are You Carrying?
We all carry things that wear us out:
The pressure to do more
The weight of caring for others
The sting of past mistakes
The fear of not being enough
Jesus sees it all. And He offers something the world never can: rest for your soul.
“Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. You will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
🤝 Walking With Jesus, Not Alone
A “yoke” sounds heavy, but in Jesus’ day, it was a symbol of partnership.
To take His yoke is to be linked with Him—to walk side by side. He’s not loading us down with expectations. He’s lifting the weight off our shoulders and carrying it with us.
Life won’t always be easy. But with Jesus, the burden is shared. The pace is kinder. The journey is gentler.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (v. 30)
💭 An Invitation for You Today
If your soul feels tired… If you’ve been trying to hold everything together… If you’ve been wondering if rest is even possible anymore…
Hear this: Jesus is still inviting you.
Come. Just as you are. Lay down what you don’t need to carry. Let Him teach you how to rest—not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally, deeply.
You don’t have to walk alone. You don’t have to be strong all the time. You are loved. You are invited. You are held.
And there is rest waiting for you in Christ.
🕊 Reflection Questions
What burden do I need to lay down today?
What does rest in Christ look like for me this week?
How can I stay connected to Jesus, even in busy or anxious moments?
Scripture: Luke 15:11–32 Hymn: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”
🕊️ Introduction
Today we hear two voices calling us. We hear the voice of Jesus in Scripture. We also hear the voice of Jesus through song.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story that has reached hearts for centuries. It is the story of a son who wandered, a father who waited, and a homecoming filled with grace.
And in the hymn “Softly and Tenderly,” we hear that same invitation:
“Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me… Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home…”
The message is simple and profound: God is calling you home. No matter who you are. No matter where you’ve been. No matter how long it’s been.
Let’s think together on three truths this story reveals about the heart of God.
❤️ 1. Love That Waits
“While he was still far off, his father saw him…” (v.20)
Before the son ever said a word, the father saw him.
He had been watching the road. Day after day, hoping — praying — his child would come back.
That’s the first truth of God’s love: God waits for us. Not with scolding. Not with shame. But with longing.
And Jesus calls us softly and tenderly, not with thunder or guilt. He invites us: “Come home, ye who are weary…”
Maybe you’ve wandered. Maybe it’s been a hard season. Maybe you’ve stayed outwardly close but feel spiritually far.
God’s love is waiting. Watching. Hoping.
🏃♂️ 2. Grace That Runs
“He ran to him, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.” (v.20)
In that time, older men didn’t run. It wasn’t dignified. But this father ran — because love doesn’t worry about appearances.
He didn’t wait for an apology or a cleaned-up speech. He didn’t hold back until he heard the whole story. He simply ran — with arms open.
That’s grace.
It’s what Jesus offers to each of us: Not conditional love, but compassion in motion. Not “clean up your act and come,” but “come, and I will make you whole.”
That’s why the hymn says:
“See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching — Watching for you and for me.”
Grace isn’t passive. Grace runs toward us.
🏡 3. Mercy That Welcomes All
“This brother of yours was dead and has come to life…” (v.32)
We often stop the story at the welcome home — but Jesus doesn’t. He includes the older brother, standing outside, angry, hurt, self-righteous.
And what does the father do?
He goes out to him too.
Because the Father’s mercy isn’t just for the prodigal — it’s for both sons.
God’s love reaches the lost and the loyal, the rebels and the rule-keepers. And in this story, we are all invited.
The invitation from the hymn is for everyone:
“Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling — Calling, O sinner, come home!”
✨ Conclusion: Come Home
Today is Trinity Sunday. We give thanks for the mystery of God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — united in love.
And it’s also Father’s Day. We give thanks for the love of earthly fathers and all those who have mentored us along the way. We also appreciate the greater love of God, who waits, runs, and welcomes.
Whether you are wandering, weary, or watching from a distance — Jesus is calling you home.
Softly, tenderly — and always with open arms.
So come home. Come to grace. Come to love. Come to God.
Can I Join Tour de Fleece If I’m Not a Master Spinner? Absolutely—Here’s Why You Should!
Every summer, cyclists pedal their hearts out in the Tour de France. Meanwhile, spinners around the world sit down with their wheels, spindles, and fluff. They join in a different endurance event: the Tour de Fleece. But if you’re new to spinning—or you feel like your yarn still has a few “extra design elements”—you are wondering:
Can I spin in Tour de Fleece if I’m not a master spinner?
Let me answer that loud and clear: YES. YES. A thousand times, YES!
Here’s why Tour de Fleece is especially for you:
1. It’s About Progress, Not Perfection
Tour de Fleece isn’t a competition—it’s a celebration. The goal is simply to spin a little (or a lot) every day the cyclists ride. Whether you’re spinning lumpy art yarn or super-fine lace weight, it all counts. You’re not being judged. You’re showing up, learning, and getting better with every turn of the spindle or treadle.
2. There’s a Welcoming Community for Every Skill Level
There are dozens of teams, hashtags, and social groups where beginners are not only welcome—they’re cheered on. Many experienced spinners enjoy helping newcomers. Your progress can inspire someone to pick up their spindle for the first time.
3. Your “Before and After” Will Amaze You
Tour de Fleece is usually three weeks long. That’s enough time to see a real shift in your spinning. Your hands learn. Your muscle memory builds. Your yarn changes. Even if your first skein is a little wild, your last one will show just how far you’ve come.
4. You Can Set Your Own Challenge
You don’t have to spin every day or meet a high yardage goal. Your personal challenge is:
“Spin for 10 minutes a day”
“Ply for the first time”
“Finish the fiber I started last winter”
“Try supported spindling” You make the rules. You choose your pace.
5. It’s a Great Excuse to Play with Fiber
If you needed permission to indulge in some lovely roving, here it is. Tour de Fleece is the perfect excuse to try new fibers, colors, or prep styles. You do not need a “perfect plan” for the finished yarn.
My First Tour de Fleece?
I had no idea what I was doing—but I loved every minute. I spun on a spindle in my backyard, in the car (as a passenger!), and even while watching the cyclists on TV. I learned how to draft better, how to troubleshoot twist, and how to relax and enjoy the process.
If you’re thinking, “But my yarn isn’t good enough yet,” let me share something with you. Here’s a secret: Tour de Fleece is how it gets good.
So go ahead—dust off your spindle or wheel. Join a team. Set a goal. And spin your heart out.
You’re not just allowed to join Tour de Fleece—you’re meant to. Let’s spin together and see where the fiber takes us!
(Recorded live during worship at LInden Park United Community Church, Hamilton)
Renewal, Unity, Sending
Pentecost has always been one of my favorite days in the church year. It’s often called the birthday of the church — a day of wind, fire, voices, and bold new beginnings. But as I’ve grown older, I see Pentecost as something more profound. It feels like a personal invitation to welcome the Holy Spirit’s work in my life again. This invitation stands regardless of my age, energy level, or stage of life.
This year, as I prepared to lead our worship, three simple words guided me. Renewal. Unity. Sending.
Let me share a few reflections from my study.
1️⃣ The Spirit Renews Our Lives
Acts 2 tells us that the Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. In Ezekiel 37, we read of dry bones being brought back to life by God’s Spirit.
I don’t know about you, but there are times when my spirit feels tired or dry. Life brings seasons of grief, change, and uncertainty. But Pentecost reminds us: God is not finished with us! The Spirit still breathes new life into weary hearts. We can be renewed again — even in our later years.
2️⃣ The Spirit Brings Unity in Diversity
On that first Pentecost, people from many nations heard the Good News in their own language. The Spirit didn’t erase their differences — it brought understanding and unity.
In today’s world, we need this Pentecost Spirit more than ever. The church is called to be a place where all belong — across generations, cultures, and backgrounds. In our seniors’ group, we shared how each person’s gifts and life experience enriches the whole body of Christ.
3️⃣ The Spirit Sends Us to Witness
Pentecost was not just about gathering — it was about sending. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.”
Sometimes we think of witnessing as something for the young or the bold. But we realized in our group. Each of us, no matter our age, can share Christ’s love. We can do this through prayer, encouragement, kindness, and presence. The Spirit empowers us to shine His light right where we are.
A Prayer for Pentecost
Spirit of the Living God, breathe new life in us again. Unite us in your love. Send us out — with courage and joy — to be your witnesses in the world. Amen.
Final Thought
Pentecost reminds me that I am never too old to be renewed. I am never too different to belong. I am never too small to be sent.
