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:
Well well well. If it isn’t almost March already, my final month of being with child (Ever? One can only hope 🤞🏻 And pay for a vasectomy ✂️)
March is a hoppin’ month for babies in my family. My father, grandmother, and two aunts all have birthdays within the same week, and with any luck Cochrane Man Child III will make his debut within ten days of them. Except for yet-to-be-rearranged-car-seats, I think we’re ready for him.
Forgive the pervasive birth metaphors, but March has always felt to me like a sort of final push. A straining between winter and spring, when new life pulls against the final clutches of cold and gloom. I like it for that.
Burried By The Bernards, Netflix
This reality show follows the Bernard family, owners of R Bernard Funeral Services in Memphis, TN. You’d think a show about a funeral home would feel depressing, but the Bernard family is so endearing you’ll forget about their morbid line of work. This is a great just-before-bed-time show.
Departures by Jon Foreman
I don’t often have music recs here. That’s not because I don’t listen to or enjoy music, I just rarely come across new stuff on my own. I’m a long time Jon Foreman fan. I love the honesty of his lyrics and the way his voice always sounds like it’s about to give out but never does. I heard about this latest album from Trevor, who suggested I make the track, “Jesus, I Have My Doubts” the theme of my writing work. Unsurprisingly it may be my favorite song from the album.
Hymns by Paul Zach
Hymns, particularly in the gospel style, were the soundtrack of my growing up years. This album feels like all those oldie-goodies got a modern-blues facelift and I love every song.
In many ways, Texas is still reeling in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri. During the first week of widespread outages and historically low temps, the sense of desperation and helplessness was thick in the air. I’m no winter lover, but I was struck with the stark awareness of how much better prepared we were than so many native Texans. We still have heavy duty winter clothes. We know the tricks to driving over snow and ice. We know when to leave faucets dripping and when to turn them off. I’ve never felt more grateful for the years I spent in harsh winters.
It was a sad sweetness, being warm and well fed with friends who generously shared their home and heat with us, knowing many had no such option. We’re still without hot water, and continue to benefit from their generosity by visiting every few days for hot showers. It’s so strange to know that we’ll look back on this time as a weird fluke that resulted in a four day sleepover and a few weeks of slight water inconvenience, while some will grieve loved ones and livelihoods claimed by the cold. Please keep praying for Texas.
The Small Group Show
News, news!
Back in November I had some questions, some words that wanted saying more than they wanted writing. I called a friend, and some of her words wanted saying too.
Three months later, we bring you The Small Group Show, a biweekly podcast where we discuss topics church small groups tend to skip.
We’re not trying to present THE answers or to convince anyone that our perspective is the best one. We just want to model brave and gentle conversations, and we hope listening in might help you do the same.
The first three episodes are available now on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Stitcher, and Spotify, with Google Podcasts coming soon. For episode clips and sneak peaks, follow the show on Instagram.
It is a true joy to write for you each month, and I always love to hear about shows that you watched, products you tried, and anything that stirred your heart. Simply reply to this email or leave a comment to let me know.
Until next time, hold the paradox and don’t panic. Love you.
-Steph
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Congratulations to you and Trevor. Upon the arrival of son number three! 💙💙💙
Definitely a boy mom! Please announce his particulars after he’s born. Love ❤️ to your family! Love your writing!!❤️