Hi everyone,
Public service announcement to those who, like me, are prone to worrying about such things:
YOU ARE NOT BEHIND. It is the first full week of November. Christmas is still a long time away. Lower your standards, friend. Take a breath and let November be November.
Maybe this will be my greeting for the rest of the month.
The Part Where There’s an Essay:
On the topic of being behind—or, not being behind—the essay will return next week. In the meantime, you can read my review of While Everyone is Sleeping at Story Warren.
For the Anglophiles
Tuesday of this week was the State Opening of Parliament, one of the ceremonies that’s deeply steeped in tradition. Most of this tradition translates to “who gets to walk where and when.”
When we toured the Houses, our host was careful to point out the spot in the door where it’s been knocked on for years by Black Rod.
Reads & Listens of the Week
I agree that a bit of hands-off parenting is good for kids: Good News for Anxious Kids and Parents. “the fact that all five kids went from feeling worried ‘most of the time’ to feeling worried ‘a little bit of the time’ should give us hope, and a reason to try it ourselves and see what happens.”
A few years ago, Andrew Osenga did a podcast series called The Pivot. Recently I’ve been listening back to some of the episodes, and I’m finding them so helpful. They touch on work, identity, God’s plans, and our goals. I recommend starting with Ben Shive or Bebo Norman.
A bit of holiday magic for you, from the country’s largest private home:
You are designed to be a burden to me and I am designed to be a burden to you. And the life of the family, including the life of the local church family, should be one of ‘mutual burdensomeness.’ - John Stott
Tbh please feel free to greet me with “YOU ARE NOT BEHIND” any time you see me, because, life.
All that research on children and play is FASCINATING to me. It brings back memories of my childhood playing in a definitely-not-"safe" empty neighboring lot!