Smuggling Grace

This morning, I want to extend my great gratitude to the people of First Presbyterian Church of Saline. I had the joy and privilege of sojourning with them for the last 6 months and leading their services alongside them. Soon their new pastor will be arriving. The people in this community have become great friends.

Yesterday was my last day with them in this capacity. We also had a church picnic, and they were kind enough to allow me to take one big selfie. Among other sweet moments, I received a Mr. Rogers button that says, “We are all neighbors” and knowing how much I love where I live, they commissioned a ceramic piece of art that includes both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan.

Grateful!

I am so grateful for something that’s started among my neighbors, and I thought I would give it a spotlight here. It’s simple, really, but I also realize that something like this is a rarity.

It’s quite easy these days not to really know our neighbors. Sure, we might know the names of the people living directly next of us, but that’s about it. Life gets busy, and we don’t want to be an intrusion. Still, we’re missing out on something, and I confess that’s how it’s been for most of the time I’ve lived in my house.

But recently, things have changed. Last month, in honor of a neighbor who died, we had a block party. I had no role in organizing this, and I’m very glad that people on my street had this idea. We got to know each other a bit more at that party, and now, ten of us (and maybe this will grow also) have a group text. From time to time, one of us will say, “I’d love to host us tonight,” and then whoever is available just bops over to that driveway, and we sit together in yard chairs and have a beverage.

This has been lovely. And my neighbors are great people. Fun people. Smart people. Caring people.

They were there the whole time! So glad we’re doing this.

–Renee Roederer

— Photos by Renee Roederer

Shout out to this little friend who now lives in my town because he rode all the way home with me.

The funny thing is, this is the second time this summer that this is happened to me. A cricket or grasshopper finds his way to this exact place on this mirror and rides all the way to where I’m going.

I’m a Bug Uber.

–Renee Roederer

Tweet by Benjamin Perry reads, “What to hear something amazing about crying? Emotional tears have higher protein concentration that irritant tears, which makes them fall down your cheeks more slowly — increasing the chance that they’ll be seen and solicit care. In literal ways, your body is built for community.”

A few times per year, I always like to say thank you for following here at Smuggling Grace. I appreciate you taking the time to connect here, and as always, thanks for engaging too. I enjoy reading and hearing your comments virtually on the platform, in emails, or during real time conversation. Thank you!

And I’m always happy to expand the audience as well. Do you know anyone who might enjoy connecting with this blog? If so, feel free to pass it along. The more the merrier!

And I wish you a wonderful day.

Thanks for engaging in community with me!

–Renee Roederer

Also, a few times a year, I always extend an invitation to support this blog on Patreon. Or! You can tip me with a coffee! Both of these are always great gifts, but are never expected. I appreciate you being here.

Do yourself a favor and go laugh at this thread. So many silly, clever answers!

A person I appreciate says this: If you want to make changes in your health, in your personal rhythms, in your structure, in your work, and in your life, start with one thing, and it can be small. She says, “Make 1% changes, and them it compound.”

When we make small shifts, we are likely to stick with them, and once they’ve become solid habits, we can add another “1% change.”

Most of our lives do not divide precisely into percentages, but I’ll share that three weeks ago, or so, I moved from 7 hours of sleep to 8 hours consistently. That was a 12.5% change nightly. That feels great, and it’s a very solid change to build upon.

Any 1% changes you want to make?

–Renee Roederer

— Photos by Renee Roederer