You are doing your work in the presence of God

On marriage, music, and a perfect summer read

For those who are new to The Holy Labor, welcome! I’m delighted to have you here. Generally I publish twice a week: an essay on Saturday and a round-up of others’ “holy labor” on Wednesday. Books, articles, poetry, prayers, podcasts, artwork—anything I’m loving lately. 

Let us know what you enjoy from this gathering of good work. I hope you might share with a friend, too. Always free, thanks to the paid subscribers who make this work possible.

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The Man in Black on marriage/heaven is a solid take, courtesy of local coffee shop.

1. First, happy almost-anniversary to my beloved (who sometimes reads these emails) as we head up north to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his parents. Words from last year ring even more true: My prayer is that everyone might one day know such love, tried and tested and true.

2. Mesmerizing to watch what happens between musicians, conductor, and audience: Tracking Yuja Wang’s Heartbeats During Her Rachmaninoff Marathon at Carnegie Hall.

3. Finished a great book by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw (whom you might know from his Ojibwe word-of-the-day on Instagram): The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings. A quick dive into Anishinaabe/Ojibwe teachings and language. Bonus points if you buy it from our local Birchbark Books, owned by the brilliant Louise Erdrich, where I spent a blessed hour alone this week. 

4. Grateful to Reverend Mamas for sharing their reflection on a line that changed my life, thanks to my spiritual director: I am doing this work in the presence of God. 

5. This week I dug out my (e-)copy of The Extraordinary Ordinary Time, which I wrote to celebrate the launch of Mothering Spirit. I must confess (and please know how rare it is for any writer to utter these words) that I love this little book!

Grab a copy if you haven’t yet: a short collection of essays, prayers, poems, and reflections on Ordinary Time. Perfect summer reading—an elegy to everyday life and the God we find within it.

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