Sally Clarkson's Blog, page 46

London, oh London!

“When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?”
― Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog

My friends, my children, my husband always expect me to keep tea time afternoon rituals. It means they know that we will spend regular time together, and we do honor the greatness of small times together. Last Friday, amidst the stress of a challenging time, (listen to TTT podcast), I captured such a ritual of turning to my friend for sympathy, fun, and, of course, the ritual of taking coffee (or tea) after a great meal. And my heart was restored.

Hi everyone, it’s @jacquiwakelam here taking over Sally’s post for today. As you read above and will hear more about on today’s TTT podcast, Sally and I made time to renew our souls last week. We walked the little shopping area in London and soaked in the many beautiful sights as well as some great coffee served by Vasilis from @thehagenproject . We ate the most delectable lunch, shopped in beautiful places, walked by the most gorgeous window dressings. We came upon a sign that said, “Best Coffee of all the cafes!) They also make the most scrumptious vanilla and chocolate rolls each Weds and Fri, of course had to try, yum! Can you find the serendipitous word in our photo? I hope you can find some beauty and take time to refresh your soul today - Jacqui x

Words Are Friends That Speak to You Your Whole Life

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I do love writing books and doing podcasts that encourage. I am not as astute at marketing books or taking photos. But I am excited to get this book into your hands. After about 50 takes of this photo, (Mom, open your eyes more, stick your chin out, pull down your neck, smile more!) we decided that this photo captured my real feeling!

Words are friends that Speak to you your whole life. But words are only friends if they are true, good, encouraging, providing courage, strength, confidence, vision, faith, etc.

Your words will leave a lasting legacy one way or the other. And your lack of words given might create a vacuum, a blank space where words of hope or love are longed for.

Words come in many forms: poetry, Bible passages, letters, emails, voice, prayers and so many other ways. As a child, I was not required to memorize much poetry or scripture. Yet, the few passages I did put to memory are still with me. I did hear “I love you,” from my parents, but I also had some words of discord from others over the years. I still remember so many messages that stuck deep inside my heart. .

As I talk with women all over the world, I have never met anyone who said, “I had too much encouragement, too many messages of faith and love.” Yet, I have met people who say to me, “My parents words stayed with me my whole life and shaped the person I am today.”

Many of you have used the 24 Family Ways as a way of putting the meaning and understanding of Biblical values and objectives with your children. We have literally sold 10’s of thousands of these foundational discipleship devotions all over the world.

So, we thought, what if we could provide a resource for families to “put” words of formation and truth into their children’s hearts and minds? And so Giving Your Words has just that—24 Family Words of Life that will speak to you and your children the rest of your lives. I believe that the Holy Spirit uses words, scripture, truth to guide us our whole lives. And so if you have stored up these words, they will speak to you when you need them.

Words become ways to influence a child when they work themselves into a child’s inner being. They shape their world view, systems of theology, ways of relationships, view of themselves, self-image, and so much more.

In the next 12 weeks, I will cover one or 2 words a week to study, memorize and discuss in your home. You can also do a concordance study to find more verses to to along with these words. It is our prayer that this will become a tool that helps your children cultivate inner strength and understanding of biblical ways to live the rest of their lives.

Today, on my podcast, I will talk about the word truth and wisdom. This study has already been speaking to me as I prepared it. I pray it will do the same for you.

What poems or verses or quotes have you memorized and how have they helped you?

Link to 40% off Giving Your Words with Baker Book House Books Referenced in this Podcast: FOR MORE

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Life with Sally Membership: Celebrating Five Years

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It’s a birthday party!  We’re 5 years old!!!

This month is the 5th anniversary of the start of my membership site, Life with Sally.  What a journey it has been!  What started as a simple idea conceived in my living room has blossomed and grown into a site where hundreds of women from all over the world come to be encouraged and challenged to use their agency to bring God’s kingdom to those around them.  Wholeheart has been able to do ministry that would have never been possible otherwise thanks to our members and their faithful contributions to the work.  

Many members have made connections in real-life through the forum or through meet-ups during speaking engagements.  These connections have multiplied into new Mom Heart groups and friendships.  The site itself is now a virtual encyclopedia of encouragement in motherhood, education, and discipleship through hundreds of Bible studies, Legacy talks, videos, Awaking Wonder unit studies, Composer studies, and so much more!  It is like coming to one of my conferences we hosted for many years every month! 

To celebrate this wonderful milestone, I want to give away a set of 3 books! To enter the book giveaway:

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook

Tag a friend in the comments of my Instagram or Facebook post

You can hear a sample of my membership Bible Studies on the podcast today from part of the series on Biblical metaphors, Jesus is the Way. Each study also includes notes and a verse printable. I hope you are encouraged by these resources and join us at Life with Sally.

Jesus is the Way Bible Study Notes John 14 PDF Printable FOR MORE

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Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

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Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

Reflections from a Weekend

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I have been thrilled to host some of my team this weekend for a leadership and planning time together. We talked about everything under the sun and had time to renew our friendships after three years of not being able to meet.

It is encouraging to be amongst friends that are driven and excited about finding ways to minister to women who are lonely and doing their best to parent the children that God has blessed them with. I wanted you to be able to listen in and to find hope in some of the topics that we have discussed during this time together.

I pray you will be encouraged by our conversation and find something to carry you through this season with courage and hope.

Books Referenced in This Podcast: FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more!

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What if Love is the Point? (with Carlos and Alexa PenaVega)

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I so love to experience some of the fun surprises that come unexpectedly across my path. A few weeks ago, a mutual friend introduced me to a couple that I had known of for some years — Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, both seasoned actors and performers. It was such a privilege to interview them as they were literally driving down the 405 freeway in their bus!

When my own kids were growing up, we always had movie night on the weekends, homemade pizza, and a movie. One memorable night, we watched Spy Kids and it became a favorite movie for several years. Alexa PenaVega playing the part of Carmen Cortez in the Spy Kids series captivated one of our girls to the point that she pretended to be Alexa and bravely stood against imagined enemies.

Around the same time, Nathan had spent the night at a friend’s house. The boys all watched a show about a boy band named Big Time Rush, starring Carlos PenaVega —and he and his friends immediately decided that they would create their own boy band because they were so enthralled with Big Time Rush!

Hearing their love story, how they met and got married, was a picture of God’s providence in their lives. They now have 3 young children, and have continued to have flourishing careers as actors, musicians, and performers.

What a fun time I had hearing more about their journey as I interviewed them on my podcast. Both are dynamic and articulate about their lives and faith, personal and warm, inspiring and grounded. I know you will love this podcast.

Their new book, What if Love is the Point?: Living for Jesus in a Self-Consumed World, tells their story and invites us into a deeper more real walk with God. I love their subtitle and find the poignancy compelling. I hope you will enjoy hearing this engaging podcast. (I recorded this several weeks ago, before I decided to take a break from my podcast—this is a fun surprise for today!)

What If Love Is the Point?: Living for Jesus in a Self-Consumed World By PenaVega, Carlos, PenaVega, Alexa

Sometimes Supermama Just Has to Take a Break

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Recently, I slipped out early one morning to the back deck, still in the 50-degree temperature, and donned a hoody to sip tea and read. Nathan came outside and said, “Super Mama!” All red and blue. :)

Sometimes even Super Mama has to take a break. As I looked at the next 10 days, I realized a rare fact. No matter how hard I work or how much effort I put into the hours of my days, I literally do not have time or energy to get everything done. So I am eliminating some things to be sure I get the essential things done.

I’m hosting my leader’s conference with my jewels of co-leaders at home this weekend. Did I mention my oven broke and we cannot get another one until I am in Oxford? So I am making all of our dinners ahead of time on my stove and freezing them. Good luck, Clay, getting the oven.

The day after the conference ends, I will be on a plane to London. Packing for months away in my new home is a gargantuan task for me.

The day after I arrive, I have to finish packing up one house, cleaning out the refrigerator, all the places, cleaning, etc. Then comes the move and the unpacking and sorting and being out of control of life for a few days and restocking the cupboards—now where did I put my electric toothbrush and my pajamas?

And finally, finishing the last part of one book, putting together a launch team for another book coming out — and all the other “things” we do every day—eat, sleep, at least a little……

So, my friends, pray for me to run this marathon well and finish still alive. I’ll be back to see many of you at W&F. Sending love, prayers, and lots of wishes for you to have a bit of fun tucked into the days of your lives.

I’ll be back sometime if I am still alive and well. I’ll be taking a podcast and Tea Time Tuesday break. More tea time Tuesdays to come.

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Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

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Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more

Remembering...

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Remembering….

As I looked at my handsome, strong Nathan, a flashback flooded my thoughts. “King of the Mountain” he would proclaim with confidence, fearlessly facing the evil foe when he was a little boy.. Heroes lived in the heart of my boy Nathan. .Now, here we were together again, climbing mountainous rocks, and once again, he is king of the mountain, but this day, he was my real life, grown up hero.

Last week, he persuaded me. “Mom,” he insisted, “Next week, you will be in Oxford and we will be in New York. You only have this day to make one more memory, to be with us on adventure day. Cancel your appointments and come with us. We want to be with you.”

And so I did, last week.

Surprising me always, Nathan announced, “I have chosen an unusually beautiful place to take you girls as a surprise. It is sort of a very small “Grand Canyon.”

Winding through the farm fields, losing ourselves in the swaying, dancing golden wild flowers out the window, we listened to hauntingly beautiful music as we drove toward his place. A small canyon with trails straight down a rocky pathway downward presented itself as we emerged from our car.

My osteoarthritis and hip surgery has left my toes numb and prevents me from bending all the way to the ground. Falling is often a fear that clouds my mind.

“Mama, I know you love adventure and I know you are also just a little fragile. So, I am going to hold your arm every step of the way so that you can enjoy the beauty of our hike and be at ease knowing I will take care of you.”

And so he did, every step of the way, he held my arm or offered his. “Now be careful! You can make it.”

And now, my adult, grown up boy, now valiantly fighting for goodness in his real life, became a real, present hero to me this day—ever gentle, ever encouraging, holding me with his strong arms so that his mama could adventure once again. He knew I would be delighted to see the wildness and hear the sounds of wind blowing through canyon walls. I had once led him to beautiful places. Now, he was leading me. But he couldn't even know how it deeply touched my mama heart for him to patiently care for me every step of the way, chatting, holding fast, cheering me at every step.

Last week, I explored a wild canyon with the man who is my real life valiant hero.

Tea Time Tuesday: The Out of the Box Life

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“Enjoy life sip by sip, not gulp by gulp.” – The Minister of Leaves

I have been pondering "should" lately — we are often ruled by them.

You should......! But most of my life, I have lived by the beat of a different drummer and it has led me to joy, peace, delight, deep love.

A Clarkson child said, "I wonder what people would think if they really knew what we believed and how we lived, that we are pretty out of the box and free to enjoy life."

Hmmm — so Christians aren't supposed to have too much fun or live wildly or freely — or question supposed Christian authorities — or celebrate life too much or live free from condemnation and guilt?

Another asked, "Wouldn't it be great some day if we didn't care what people thought?

A hazard of living in the public eye, I suppose.

But, I do love to move beyond the "expectations" and figure out what really is authentic in life, what really matters, how to experience the joy we were designed to know, every day, and to see the God that is not a tame lion.

Hmm, Jesus pretty much upset those who lived in the box of his day — as a matter of fact, he got crucified for being out of the box, and not fitting in with the "leaders."

Rarely, do I meet others who make me want to love God more, be more idealistic, live by wild faith, & life-sacrificing love.

When the life of Jesus is in our midst, there is a palpable crackle in the air, a sparkle to the lights & shadows of His dance amongst us.

Imagine — the creator of the universe — the one who played games with galaxies and atoms, romantic love and sunsets — He in our midst.

Many live primarily by "shoulds", guilt, worry, sighing, comparing, inadequacy.

He did not create us to live in such a way. He came to give life — and life abundantly. The joy of the Lord is to be our strength — and yet — what have the voices of this world done to our joy?

What have the messages of today's church done to mount "should do's", measuring righteousness by the boxes of theology instead of by the people we love and those we serve a cup of cold water or share our coats or meals with?

Perhaps our children and ourselves long for something more — Kingdom is coming, my friends.

Today: Favorite books, A delightful movie, a haunting song, Favorite bites, and so much more.

I Wish I Had Trusted Him More & Complained Less

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In this world you have tribulation,

but take courage....

I have overcome the world.

Jesus

I wish I had trusted more, complained less. No amount of ranting or complaining can change the fact that we live in a fallen world, a battleground for souls. I wish I had known sooner or better understood or earlier admitted that I needed to accept this reality, to determine to grow up, to build up my strength little by little. It would have saved me so much emotional havoc in the long run. If only I had understood that this was a battle for allegiance to the One who is true, not an issue of choosing the right activities, or the best curriculum, or the most promising school choice, if only I knew that the sacrificing of my life to God's design would be the making of my character; that He was growing me up.

To have understood that the longer I loved, served and gave myself to the training of my children, the more I would understand His fatherhood of me, the complete sacrifice He was willing to make for me, I, his own unaware and shortsighted toddler child, who often was blind to the workings of His ways, the wisdom of His voice, even as my children were often blind to my wisdom given for their sakes.

If only I had known that the miracle of my children's long term faith and love for Him,  was not an issue of my being righteously mature, perfect in performance, but upon my dependence for Him working according to His power and mercy--that He was the One who made our paltry sacrifices enough to reach the hearts of our children, because He cared more than I did about loving and redeeming my children out of darkness into His light, that all He wanted from me was to give it all up to Him, to live by faith, to enjoy the gift He had given into my hands, the gift of mothering these children, living this story, seeing His miracles right before my eyes.

Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it. Psalm 37:5

If only I had known, it would have saved me so much emotional havoc, worry, impatience, stress, 

I would have lived restfully in peace, enjoyed each day more, letting Him take the weight of my fretting & worry.

Peace of the Lord be with you today, the Lord is near.

Faithfulness in Your Long Life Journey

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I had a little tea party
this afternoon at three.
'Twas very small,
three guests in all,
Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate up the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea.
'Twas also I who ate the pie,
And passed the cake to me. 

Author: Jessica Nelson North

Oxford, my Oxford! Today’s photo was taken at one of my favorite places that I escape to to have an early breakfast and pot of tea. (And the scones and black current jam with clotted cream are to die for!) But as the poem says, I betake myself there and center, and enjoy. The garden is amongst old tombs and crypts of the wealthy dead from the past—a sort of reminder that none of us will live forever. But the garden is so beautiful that this lovely place has become a place for sharing great food in the lovely outdoors, and breathing in a few moments of civility.

I celebrated one more birthday this week, and it has set me to pondering anew. My lifetime has been over almost 7 decades. I have learned through many years, that life is a journey through many seasons—ups and downs, adventures, heartbreak and joy. How we live through these seasons following hard after God at every point, leaves us with a soul-satisfying story, because we learn that God was with us and faithful at every point.

Don’t waste your time on dreams that will not fulfill, or wishes for a different life that may not even be better than the one you have now. This place, this time is the place in which you can step, one step at a time, into contentment, deep love of your people, wisdom collecting and a deeper understanding of God’s presence and love for you. Today is the day to consider these things as seasons rush by.

At this point, my biggest treasures are Clay--41 years fought for, given to with as much faithfulness and grace and we could muster. And my precious children, their spouses and my grandchildren. To have had the privilege of raising them, loving them, knowing them now, being close companions is my greatest and most fulfilling gift.

My children do not care if I have accomplished anything of merit--they just want the love and respect and affection of their mama--and I theirs. And at this stage, it is so sweet.

I have been pondering this verse: Psalm 39:4 “LORD, let me know my end, And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.”

Lots of fun things on Tea Time Tuesday today—a delicious recipe, music, a mystery series, and so much more. Enjoy!

FOR MORE

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.

Leave an iTunes Review These are so important as they help our podcast reach more women with messages of encouragement.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

Share with others. My prayer is that this podcast brings encouragement to women and families, and I would be honored for you to tell others about it.

Join my friends and me in membership at Life with Sally, a place for me to share more teaching from the Bible and messages on education, motherhood, discipleship, and more