Here are three things I’ve read and have been thinking about this week. Have a great weekend everyone!

#1

There is no force in the world better able to alter anything from its course than love. You can get someone to remove his coat more surely by a warm, gentle sun than with a cold, blistering wind.

John Ruskin

I personally try to embrace a leadership style which prioritizes carrots over sticks; chooses honey rather than bitter herbs. I can’t say that I am always successful, but it is my goal! That is probably why this statement from the 19th century English critic John Ruskin captured my attention. I also think it is quite a contrast to the cancel culture that swirls all around us.

1 Corinthians 13 says “love never fails”. It may be delayed but never denied. Love is not only a noun – it is a strategy that will bring about the peace we all so desire in our world today.

And if it is delayed – it will be worth the wait.

#2

New word I learned from this Arthur Brooks article in The Atlantic Magazine:

Topophilia

“There is a word for love of a place: topophilia, popularized by the geographer Yi-Fu Tuan in 1974 as all of “the human being’s affective ties with the material environment.” In other words, it is the warm feelings you get from a place. It is a vivid, emotional, and personal experience, and it leads to unexplainable affections.”

I have warm feelings for a lot of places…wonder what that says about me? Don’t answer that question! Each place I’ve lived in both childhood and as an adult brings about a particular sense of ‘home’ for me. Thankful for the gift of home which for me is love, security, and purpose. I pray daily that my presence is making a home for others as well.

#3

“and a little child shall lead them”

Isaiah 11:6b

We often think of this as a prophecy for Jesus (which I would agree). And I also found myself wondering if another meaning could be pointing toward a time in our society when the truth of God is so well-known and abided by that even a child could lead us? In effect, leadership would be “child’s play” because we are all so aligned with the true leadership from God.