In the early pages of her new book A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits, Redbud author Ashley Hales roped me to my chair, reading more. A few lines double-knotted me there:

“Without the loving setting of limits on the natural world, it would be void and without form.”

“Limits create for us a home; they create the condition for flourishing.”

“Limits, given to the world by a loving God, are the conditions for life.”

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“Hm,” you say. “Limits? Spaciousness? Aren’t they mutually exclusive?”

Quite the contrary, according to Hales. In fact, acknowledging God-ordained limits on ourselves—reckoning with our smallness, instead of gulping, grasping, consuming, and trying to be big—is the very mindset that makes roomy, joyful significance possible. Limits give us space to rejuvenate and heal, to love and grow in abiding intimacy with Jesus in ways that actually make us productive in more meaningful ways.

Hales explains her position with thoughtful, wise exposition and vivid illustrations—both deep and broad—and a feast to read. As she addresses universally relevant topics, she invites us to slow down, rest, delight, and pay attention. As we do, we will enjoy community as never before, will approach material goods differently, and will thrive in hope and purpose.

I’m taking this book to heart. I loved Hales’ insights, her succinct, lyrical writing . . . all of it. I imagine pulses quieting, smiling broadening, paths crystallizing as others read this, just as mine did.

If you want a terrific book for a Christmas gift to yourself or someone you love, this is it. I’m buying mine now.

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And now, this week’s SM posts:

Should you lose your head . . .

“And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority…”

—Colossians 2:10

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Femme fatale.

Female praying mantis.

What a flirt . . . tilting her head . . .

Beckoning with those elegant, spiny arms . . .

And that sweet little mouth will bite a boy’s head off.

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Rain Shadow?
By this time of year, the Palouse has typically had 16-18 inches of precipitation. Not so in 2021.So far, they’ve had 4 inches.

Four.

Even so, farmers are now seeding next year’s wheat. Trusting.

Waiting on God.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

—Romans 12:12

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Forecast: Downpour.

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

—1 Kings 18:44

Thanks for stopping by, friends. So glad you’re here.

Watching Nature, Seeing Life: Through His Creation, God Speaks

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P. S. Do you have your copy of Sugar Birds yet?

Get yours HERE. 🙂