I am beyond excited to be sharing with you my first full podcast episode of “The Gentle Way”. Full of gentle reflections, inspiring words, meaningful experiments, and peaceful practices, the Gentle Way Podcast offers a unique path for those who crave meaning, beauty, and creativity. I’d love to have you join me for this Season of the Gentle Way.

Just a few notes:

* Send your “heart-to-heart” questions to [email protected] and I will share my small and simple thoughts on a future episode.

* Right after I recorded this episode, I was reminded of a beautiful quote that would have tied in so well with this week’s episode. So I’ll give it to you here as a P.S. :)

“All of us can have a new beginning through, and because of, Jesus Christ. Even you. These new beginnings can happen every day!Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, writing countless new chapters with us. Please receive your new beginning, even today, right now.”

~Patrick Kearon

Can you hear it? He is calling. Listen. Can you hear His voice in your heart?Not in the untamed wind that veils all whispers,or the wild thunder that unfurls its vengeance,not even in the melodic cacophany that ripples through happy homes & busy lives.

There He waits for the hushed heart to seek Him,to pause between the notes of your symphony long enough to hear theforgotten, yet familiar melody of His voicebreathing your name—as soft as a flower petaland delicate as butterfly wing.

Why does He call you with such sweet caress?He desires His lamb to step into His sheltered fold,where He can cradle your heart and tend to what ails you.

Don’t saunter, but bound toward Him so He can bind up your wounds.Bound with haste as if your life depended on it because truly it does.for all abundant life comes from Him.

Rest. Bask.Soak in the goodness of being a little lamb in the arms of your shepherd.Then, when your time with Him comes to a close,do not leave His side—do not leave His fold.Stay in the green pastures He leads you to, safe in His watchful care.And when ravenous wolves approach, don’t let them in,don’t let them join your ranks.Close your heart and mind to their deceitful hissings of discouraging thoughtsand damaging lies.Their impure motives have tempted many to fall prey to attack.

But you will not be the next victim—you will not give them entrance.Nor will you entertain them for even one minute.You will run to the Master Shepherd and He will cast them out.

For once a little lamb exercises free will to run for help,how could this ever-compassionate, eternally Good Shepherdnot run to rescue His little lamb,the little lamb of His fold?He does.He will.He will forever.In this, you can trust.

“And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken to his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.”

-Alma 5:60

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

-Psalm 23

Can you find the semblance of good in all things?

Can you see, looking back, how all things have worked together for your good?

How the broken kernels of wheat were pounded and mixed and shaped into bread?

How the farewell of sea tide now reveals the treasures of sea glass and sea shell?

How the deepening darkness brings moon glow and lamplight, stillness and cricket song?

How the fragment of torn cloak can be repurposed into a pieced-together quilt of remembrance?

Truly, every time you cross the threshold of the hard, you are on your way to finding the holy.

The other day we read this scripture verse as a family:

“Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.” (Doctrine & Covenants 87:8)

And then Patrick asked the children, “Where is your favorite holy place to be?” The answers were beautiful—the temple, home, church. But then Cooper spoke, and I wasn’t expecting his answer:

“My holy place is wherever you are, Mom, because you’re my holy place.”

I would never have guessed he’d say that, not in a million years. To think that someone sees me as their holy place. Me with all my imperfections and flaws? It really made me pause. Do we realize just how much influence our light and love can have? I hope I can be more intentional in creating a presence where others feel welcome, loved, and cherished. And I hope you know how brightly you shine just by being you.