Author: gracesmuggler

Birds are fed by their parents in their infancy. When the time comes to feed themselves, there can be some confusion when the food does not go into their mouth by itself. pic.twitter.com/8kDa1hhRgb

— Fascinating (@fasc1nate) October 18, 2022

I wrote about Mr. Rogers yesterday and his central theme of honoring the unique value of each person. I also shared that post — Your Being You — on Facebook, and I noticed that people of so many different political persuasions liked that post.

It’s almost as if human dignity and worth brings us together.

This might need to be the place of our connection. And it might also need to be the value we hold onto most firmly when anyone begins to argue otherwise.

–Renee Roederer

Mr. Rogers used to finish every episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood in the same way:

“You make each day a special day. You know how, by just your being you. There’s only one person in this whole world like you.”

This was a daily mantra for kids to internalize, and I think that the word ‘your’ must have been intentional. Because it would be far less clunky to say,

“You make each day special. You know how, by just being you. There’s only one person in this whole world like you.”

But he chose to say, “By just your being you.”

I think he meant for us to feel a connection to this experience of being ourselves — that our uniqueness was ours, and something to marvel about, take in, internalize, and own.

–Renee Roederer

Just a little more than a week ago, I wrote a piece on this blog, entitled, Forest Bathing. I shared about my experience walking around the Scio Woods Preserve in Michigan and what it is like to be surrounded by trees with all their life-giving connections. I also shared a photo (above) of their green leaves.

I went back yesterday, and those trees are vibrant with varieties of color.

Things can change quickly.

I found myself reflecting on this. Sometimes, we feel this in our bodies too, including in painful ways. Ever feel like you’re just waiting for the next shoe to drop? We’ve all been there.

But also, what about the rapid, beautiful changes? Those happen too. Maybe waiting to put the next shoe on? Sometimes, we are also astounded my turnarounds, new opportunities, expressions of beauty, or a sense of being brought back to the core goodness of things. This can be true in experiences, in relationships, in living.

Things can change quickly.

–Renee Roederer

— Photos by Renee Roederer

https://twitter.com/heckingooddogs/status/1580626941123923968?s=21

Last night, I finished an endeavor I started in March, and it’s something I’ve never done before: I read the Bible from cover to cover. Before going to bed, I finished that last chapter and last word, which is literally, Amen.

In my life and seminary training, I had read most parts of all books of the Bible. But I’ve never gone cover to cover. And I’m glad I did. The experience was likely what you’d expect. Some parts moved me deeply. Some parts were disturbing. Some parts were confusing. Some parts were intriguing. Some parts were inspiring. And… I also need you to know that some parts were so funny. The Bible has a lot of funny one liners! These texts have brilliance on lots of levels.

And as I read the Gospels in particular, I found myself inspired by them and these teachings. To so many public leaders who claim Christianity but primarily teach exclusion and domination, rooted in white supremacy and wealth, I thought, “Um…. have you all read this any time recently?”

You cannot read the Bible without seeing its vast core as a justice and inclusion project.

I’m glad I’ve experienced that.

–Renee Roederer

The cashiers at my local Rite Aid typically welcome people when folks come into the door. Often, that leads to customers saying back, “How ya doing?” And this one Rite Aid employee often says, “Living the dream!” And it makes people laugh every time.

This isn’t said with a deflated tone but with a silly, connectional one. She’s really connectional generally. She and I have joked around a number of times.

This small thing really invites people into more conversation, and I’ve both received it and watched people have more conversation with her afterward. It turns into a relational moment between people, not a transactional one. And I admire that.

–Renee Roederer

— Photos by Renee Roederer