Weekly Wildflowers #22

June Sabbatical, 3 Quick Takes, Like Clay

Thank you all who stuck around while I took a much needed mini-break last week before my June sabbatical. Burn out is real and while I am super excited about this week’s post, I am equally excited to take a short step back to rest, recharge, and to ponder.

I’ve followed some pretty incredible writers through their careers and one thing they always do is take at least a month off, usually in the summer, to rest.

I don’t think our society understands that rest is holy work. The kind of interior work we all need to make space for in our lives. Space to allow the Lord to move, to shape, and to speak consolation to our hearts. I know I don’t allow for enough rest. So this year, I am making the space.

I recently came across the idea that hurry is the opposite of love. The idea being that if the devil can’t tempt you to sin, he can at least keep you too busy to be present with the Lord, to love Him. I can’t say I disagree.

So for the month of June there will be no Weekly Wildflowers, though there will be the monthly posts. That way I can come back refreshed and ready to write for you in truly meaningful ways.

AMDG,

Mandy

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Summer Evening in Åsgårdstrand. Edvard Munch 1863-1944

3 Quick Takes

1. If you are a homeschooling family, I want to pitch the idea of summer school to you. We’ve just wrapped up our 5th year of homeschooling (!!) and I’ve learned a few things along the way. One of them is that summer school is an absolute must, plus it’s so easy! The idea is that the first 2 hours of the day are “school”. So if you start at 9, you end by 11. Then everyone has the rest of the day to focus on their hobbies, go to playgrounds or splashpads, and rest. Yet everyone will feel more content because they’ve done something productive and engaging together in the morning. I’ve found that not only is the transition back into full school days easier but that my kids do better with structured mornings. Their moods are better, they are more excited and they don’t fight with one another nearly as much! If you homeschool, what tips do you have to share with the rest of us?

2. Our May here in the upstate of SC has been uncommonly cool. It reminds me of our time in upstate NY, when in the summer we’d have to keep a sweater close because the morning and evening temperatures would dip. It’s brought back a little nostalgia for me, and how much I enjoyed our time in NY, the seasons, the beauty and the people. But that’s been true anytime we’ve moved - all 6 times in the last 12 years! Maybe I’ll write a short how-to on moving and keeping your sanity some time!

3. Digital Digest: I can honestly say it’s been eye opening to see how easy it was for me to slip back into excessive phone use when our new pope was elected. Just like everyone, I wanted to see what new things he was doing, saying and of course learn a little more about him. After the initial excitement died down, I found I was reaching for my phone more often, out of habit. So this past week I did a screen time audit (which can be found in the phone settings or you can watch this youtube video to walk you through it.) It was a bit ugly, and renewed my determination to keep my phone in it’s proper place. So for the past week I have been leaving it in another room for the morning, so I can focus on prayer first thing, even before checking the weather. So far I can say that even this slight change has led to my day’s starting out better, and I feel more focused. What’s one phone-related habit you’re working on changing?

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Quote of the Week

Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.

- St. Therese of Lisieux

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Devotional Corner

At the grocery store this week, my daughter asked me what cat litter is made of. Now if you know my daughter, you know she loves cats even if she is allergic to them, so this question isn’t out of the ordinary for her.

I told her that it’s most likely made of clay, because clay is very good at absorbing what’s around it.

I said it without much thought, checked out, and made it to the car, but the words stayed with me.

Clay absorbs. It soaks in. It takes in whatever surrounds it.

And aren’t we made of clay too?

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Cor. 4:7

Scripture reminds us that we are jars of clay. Fragile, humble, ordinary.

And just like clay, we absorb.

There is so much that can seep into our souls throughout the day. Headlines, hurry, distractions, comparison, even subtle lies that we don’t notice at first. It’s not intentional, and we start to absorb what the world pours out.

So it got me thinking — what am I absorbing?

In the quiet moments of my day, am I soaking in the peace of Christ, His presence, His promises? Or am I picking up the fear, the restlessness, the weariness that the world so easily hands out?

Do I make space to sit in prayer, with His words, to hear His voice? Or do I reach for my phone instead, chasing that next scroll, that quick tip, that tiny rush of feeling in control?

And we do hold a quiet responsibility in all of this absorbing. We can choose to draw in something better.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Romans 12:2

I want to be the kind of clay that sits long in the hands of the Potter. The kind that drinks deeply of Christ’s peace and truth. The kind that holds shape because it’s been formed by love.

Clay can’t help but absorb. It’s what clay does.

So the question isn’t if I’m being shaped or filled, it’s by what.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Is. 64:8

Discussion Questions

This section is a starting off point to help you go deeper with topics discussed above.

1. When I reflect on my week, what have I been most surrounded by? What have I absorbed without even realizing it?

2. What are some practical ways I can spend more time “soaking in” the presence of Christ this week? Could I consider adding in adoration or a daily Mass?

3. Is there something in my heart or mind that needs to be reshaped by the Potter?

How do you organize your week?

Call me old fashioned but I was surprised by how many of you use your phone to keep track of your weekly activities! I can’t keep anything straight when I put it in my phone and find that a paper planner helps me keep it all in my head a little better. Thank you all for participating and I look forward to bringing this back in July!

P.S. Have you visited The Wildflower Grove yet? It’s my growing digital library of printable mini-guides, phone wallpapers, and more, created for paid subscribers. Free subscribers also get access to a handful of favorites to enjoy.