The polarizing opinion edition of Weekend Favorites
What I've been up to lately plus work from other creators and cultivators who are helping us worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty - all arranged in lists of threes.
Dear friends,
Oof. I’m heading into the weekend feeling a whole lot like this little guy. You?
I know a lot of folks blame November fatigue on losing an hour of daylight, but the truth is I love when the time changes! This may be the most polarizing opinion I could admit — more polarizing even than who I voted for last week! I love the excuse to get cozy and hibernate a little bit. I regularly head to bed by 8 pm, and it’s my favorite thing.
I was remembering something Laura Fabrycky wrote in her newsletter back in the spring when Daylight Savings Time began: “I don't mind the cold or the dark. I like being cozy, which, at times, can tend towards a comfortable dormancy. If I were a caterpillar, I'd be sorely tempted to cocoon forever, never reaching metamorphosis. I'm a big fan of stasis…”
No author has ever made me feel more seen!
So I’m keeping this little note short. May your jammies be comfy and your pillow be just the right amount of fluffy. And if you’re suffering right now, may you somehow sense a comfort that surpasses everything and reaches straight to your soul.
Without further ado, here are three highlights from my week to help me worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty.
1. One day hour by hour + I need Thee every hour
On Monday, I participated in a delightful hour-by-hour photo challenge on Instagram. I’d blocked the day out for writing so when my friend Beth suggested I join her (and like 5,000 other people!) I assumed I wouldn’t have much interesting to share. In reality, I loved the practice of pausing every hour (ish) to share a photo and reflection. Even more than that, I loved checking in with my friends (and many strangers) to see how their days were going. I loved the small details about their favorite coffee mugs or the way they approach their email or whatever ordinary detail they chose to share. It made me think about the beauty of praying the hours. The stopping throughout the day with the communion of saints to say a prayer of thanks or confession or intercession. I also recognized that while this little segment of humanity I happen to cross paths with on social media was celebrating the ordinary joys and challenges of our days, parts of the world were suffering traumatic loss and injustice. This is true every day, but it felt especially stark on Monday. Before signing off for the day, I offered an adaptation of a compline prayer for us all:
May the Lord give us all a peaceful night, keep watch over all the suffering, shield all the joyous, and tuck us under his wings tonight.
Amen.
2. Friends who read together also eat together
I snapped this photo Monday morning while I was refreshing my coffee and not minding one bit the little stack of dirty dishes from Sunday night’s Apostles Reads fireside book discussion. We’d attempted to read Le Mis together, and it was worth celebrating! That platter held a French picnic-inspired snack - delicious hunks of french bread topped with butter, salt, and radish slices, provided by my friend Kirstin. Très bien!
3. Neighborhood Little Art Exhibit
My neighborhood boasts an abundance of little free libraries but I’d never stopped at this little art exhibit. What a lovely idea. The exhibit included poetry, a larger painting, postcards with information about local endangered birds, and a small piece of art to take for free. I signed the guest book — so grateful for this little respite of beauty on my afternoon walk.
Peace of Christ to you, friends —body and soul,
Tamara
p.s. How has your week been? Where have you noticed moments of worship, love, and beauty? Leave a comment or send me an email. I love to hear from you!
What I’ve Been Up to Lately
1. ADVENT DAYBOOK 2022 .pdf is here!
ADVENT BEGINS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27!
The Advent Daybook 2022 includes 29 meditations centered around Scripture, art, music, prayer, and practices to prepare our hearts, minds, and bodies for Christ’s arrival.
Plus, you’ll receive bonus content to celebrate all 12 days of Christmas!
2. Book Updates!
ORDINARY SAINTS: LIVING EVERYDAY LIFE TO THE GLORY OF GOD
I had the privilege of joining over forty other writers to help celebrate Square Halo’s twenty-fifth anniversary. The delightful and thought-provoking book includes essays on such topics as knitting, home repair, juggling, traffic, pipes, chronic pain, pretzels, and naps. (Guess who contributed the essay about naps?!?)
Coming February 2023 - preorder coupon code here
The Spacious Path: Practicing the Restful Way of Jesus in a Fragmented World is now available for pre-order!
While it won’t be released until June 2023, pre-ordering helps my publisher and online booksellers know that people are excited to read this book so please feel free to let them know by ordering your own copy.
You can pre-order the book from the following online booksellers:
Thank you!
Currently Reading
This post includes affiliate links in this post because I'm trying to be a good steward, and when you buy something through one of these links you don't pay more money, but in some magical twist of capitalism we get a little pocket change. Thanks!
A Playlist for your Weekend
Thanksgiving Theme: sentimental tunes for traveling or staying home this week
Weekend Favorites
A weekly celebration of creators & cultivators helping us worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty!
I curate this weekly reflection around 3 desires that frame my daily life: worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty. I am deeply indebted to the creators and cultivators who - through their work and witness - enlarge my imagination for worship, love, and beauty.
1.How to celebrate Christ the King Sunday from @littlewaychapel
This Sunday, November 20 is the final Sunday in the liturgical calendar before Advent begins. Alissa at Little Way Chapel shares some excellent suggestions for “ending well.” I especially love the idea of creating a crown centerpiece for the Christ Candle that will come back on Christmas Day. A beautiful practice no matter your age!
2. A Guide to Well-Being from @sandravanopstal
This is one of those posts I keep re-reading because there’s so much wisdom. I’m especially contemplating #3.
3. Austin Studio Tour with @faithandarts @meenamatochaart & @phaedrajeanartmachine
This is one of the events that make me miss Austin so much. I’m so grateful for this group of artists —for their generativity and grace. Raising a glass to you all this weekend, friends!
Your Turn
One of my hopes for this weekly post is that you’ll feel invited to spend a few minutes reflecting with me about the previous week and how you’ve been drawn to three spiritual practices:
Worship God
Love People
Enjoy Beauty
So how has your week been? Where have you noticed moments of worship, love, and beauty? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment or send me an email. I love to hear from you!
You could also join the celebration on Instagram! Each Saturday on Instagram, I share three favorite creators/cultivators helping me worship God, love people, and enjoy beauty in the previous week.
If you’d like to share your own list, screenshot or save this image to your photos and fill in the blanks with your own selections, tag me @tamarahillmurphy, and then share it on your IG Stories!
Screenshot this image and post in your IG stories (don’t forget to tag me @tamarahillmurphy