Hello and welcome to February! Grab your coffee or tea and let’s talk about all the good things I’ve been reading or thinking about this last month. I know the conversation is a little one-sided, but if you leave a comment with your “good things,” I’ll reply and we can continue the conversation.

a few personal notes

We got snow this weekend here in Virginia, so we have had even less school than the normal at-home days. BUT . . . we found out yesterday that the school board is starting the process to bring two of my three kids back to school at the end of March!

Winter is hard for me emotionally. My mood takes unexpected dips and sometimes my whole body feels heavy. Other times I want to cry, but crying would just take too much effort. It’s so hard to deal with these weaknesses in a healthy way without numbing through social media or cookies or TV.

When I’m not doomscrolling or napping, I have been finding joy in painting and music and playing the piano. I am working on a series of colorful abstract paintings to be released later this month! I’m looking forward to sharing them with you. Here’s one framed:

It’s Black History Month!

We love Black History Month! We try to honor and learn about Black Americans and Black history all year, but appreciate this month to pay special attention. Here are a few good things for this month:

This list of literary works by Black authors from Marcie Walker at Black Coffee with White Friends made for middle and high schoolers.

40% off + FREE shipping at IVPress on their list of books by Black authors Feb. 1-8. (Compassion and Conviction, which I keep recommending, is on the list! I want to read Mother to Son by Jasmine Holmes.)

This post from Be the Bridge answering the question, “Why isn’t there a white history month?” (no shame if you’ve ever wondered this).

Trillia Newbell’s new book, Creative God, Colorful Us looks so good!

We love these Cream and Sugar playlists on Spotify.

And this Spotify playlist from Jasmine Holmes.

Other Good Things

This panel discussion of abortion, part of the And Campaign’s Whole Life Project. I appreciated the way they define the issues from a whole life or consistent life ethic (vs. just pro-life or pro-birth) and offer multi-pronged solutions (some personal, some systemic).

This news bias chart helps me be aware of the leaning of a news source. I love how @sharonsaysso that bias does not mean non-factual (necessarily); it does means that all sources have a lense by which they filter the stories and the facts for readers (and even factor into the photos chosen). That’s why it’s important to read or listen to a variety of sources.

This chart: “The World as 100 Christians”:
“A typical Christian today is a non-white woman living in the global South, with lower-than-average levels of societal safety and proper health care. This represents a vastly different typical Christian than that of 100 years ago, who was likely a white, affluent European.”

This paper from the National Immigration Forum: “Room to Grow: Setting Immigration Levels in a Changing America.” Here’s a quote:
“Demographic aging is a long-term problem, and evidence suggests that a sustained increase in immigration levels can be part of an effective policy response. Immigrants already play a crucial role in our economy and our communities, and they represent a natural solution to the problems posed by the country’s changing demographics. Already in 2021, immigrants are helping to meet growing labor market demands, providing services for an increasing elderly population, and spurring vitality and growth in local communities.”

Immigrants bring so much to my own small town, so this topic is close to home. The book, Welcoming the Stranger, was really helpful to me in understanding how Christians can think about immigration.

This podcast interview with Sharon McMahon on “How to Talk About Politics Productively, Take Responsibility for What We Reshare, And Know Whats True with SharonSaysSo”

You know I love finding the peacemakers in our divisive culture and Sharon is one! There were so many good points. If you find you’re having difficult political conversations with friends and family, this is a helpful listen.

Prayer in the Night has been such a blessing to read. It’s written for dark times like these, and has inspired our family to start praying Compline in the evenings.

Has your family ever read scripted prayers or guided prayer times together? I can share what we’re doing if you would want to hear about it.

Lastly, I was listening to this Holy Post podcast interview with Derwin Gray and I was struck by something they said:

I know that sounds super simple, both something about that truth is really shocking. I want to know that Jesus better. I want to be more like Him and learn His ways.

Take care, friends. The Lord is always near.

COPYRIGHT/USAGE: All writing, artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. Please do not repost or resell on another website. I’m happy for you to use my coloring pages and other printables for home, school, and ministry. If you share content, please link back to the original post. Thank you!