Hiya pals.
I hope you had a glorious Thanksgiving meal with all the people you love and no weird conversations about vaccines or immigration.
If not, welcome to this newsletter wherein there will be no weird conversation topics. (Also no glorious Thanksgiving meal, sadly. Would if I could.)
Welcome to The Paradox Paper, a monthly newsletter that honors paradox in the every day. If a friend forwarded you this email, click here to subscribe:
In this edition:
A book I wish I could read again for the first time
An album I always come back to this time of year
A podcast for the grownups and the kiddos
An awful day
A short list of good things
Links to the latest podcast episodes
A prayer for all the holiday feelings
Jayber Crow, Wendell Berry
This is the story of a boy who grows into a man, and lives out his life as the barber in small-town, mid-1900s Kentucky. A wonderful cast of characters pass in and out of Jayber’s barber shop, bringing their laughter and sorrow with them. If you want to read something cozy and beautiful, something ordinary and marvelous, this is the book for you. Wendell Berry writes about the joys and heartbreak of ordinary life like no one else.
Behold The Lamb Of God, Andrew Peterson
Speaking of excellent storytellers, Andrew Peterson tells the story of God-with-us masterfully in this original Christmas album. The first song covers Passover, and each song progresses through Israelite history up until the birth of Jesus. If I get the chance I love to listen to the whole album straight through.
We Wonder Podcast
The tagline of this show is “contemplative Bible storytelling for children and their grownups,” and it is as lovely as it sounds. Part Bible story, part question-asking, part responsive prayer, it’s such a peaceful way to end the day with our kids. Sometimes I listen on my own when I can’t sleep. Their Advent series begins December 1st.
The first day of Thanksgiving Break was terrible.
I felt another round of the sickness that has been plaguing me since September, and I was angry.
My children were tired and overstimulated from being in school, and they were angry.
Trevor was dealing with the stresses and unknowns of self-employment, and he was angry.
I hate feeling angry. Especially at my family.
I had planned for it to be a day of shopping and cookie baking and celebration. Instead it was a day of whining and yelling, time outs and tears, and more than one apology. No one tells you how your heart will break to look your four year old in the eyes and say, “I was wrong. Will you forgive me?”
After nap time I canceled my lofty expectations, stuck everybody in front of their screen of choice, and begged God to cover us with grace.
I hate to be made so painfully aware of my gaps. Yet, like soft butter on toast, the Lord smooths them over, fills them in, and makes them good. For this I’m thankful.
A Short List of Good Things
Meredith Miller wrote that thankfulness is the result of noticing and naming what is good. She wrote it for parents who were hoping to get their young children to share something they’re thankful for around the table, but I think it’s a good practice for me as well. Too often I rattle off an obligatory gratitude list without taking a moment to really notice the goodness around me. So here we go. A few good things:
Trevor, presently sprawled on the floor fixing a perpetually broken puzzle for the millionth time, a father who enjoys his children.
Modern medicine which is helping me feel better by the day after weeks of lingering sickness.
Weather that’s cool enough to be cozy, but not cold.
A shower with good water pressure.
Stainless steel water bottles that have borne the test of time and many toddler dinners.
The awareness of a kind God who is always tending me.
(Meredith’s helpful post right here👇🏼)
The Small Group Show
Here are the episodes that have come out since I was last in your inbox:
Ep. 21 - Friendship & Community
Why is making friends so weird? What obstacles hold us back from building community? How do we move past them? That’s what this episode is all about.Ep. 22 - THANKSGIVING
Happy Thanksgiving yall! Here we share what we’ve learned about the complicated history of Thanksgiving, plus our favorite Thanksgiving foods. Duh.
Thank you for listening to our little show, and for continuing to be such a warm and encouraging audience.
It is a true joy to write for you each month, and I always love to hear about anything you tried and loved or anything that stirred your heart. Simply reply to this email or leave a comment to let me know.
Until next time, hold the paradox, don’t panic. Love you.
-Steph
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