by erinrobinsonhall@gmail.com | Nov 12, 2020 | Reflections, Wonder |
Today, we loaded up our little circus and took a drive. The kids had a school holiday, and we planned a little fun out of the house. Didn’t matter that the weather forecast screamed “stay home” or that the clouds tried to warn us. We packed enough snacks for this crew and drove to see the animals at Dauset Trails. In our family, this is a week for celebrating adventures. We are celebrating our “Coming Home Day” tomorrow, the day we brought our kids home. Adventure in the rain felt just right for this morning, and we had fruit snacks, so why not? Halfway into our drive, the sky opened up and rain began to pour. I watched the older kids’ faces. Logan, our oldest son, whispered, “Does this mean we got in the car and came all this way for nothing?” Disappointment doesn’t always go over well with this crew. I said, “Nope. It does not mean that at all, buddy. It means . . . Disney Rules! Now, you watch the clouds.” He grinned and knew exactly what I meant. My husband forgot this particular Disney Rule, but trusted that I could avoid the whining and tears for a while with this plan. We adore Disney World, and the first time my husband and bio son Logan went to Disney, I laid out my “rules.” There are many, all brilliant. The one about rain and storms, I will share. It goes like this. When it storms at Disney, as it does every afternoon, you do not leave the park. You do not hide away in a store...
by erinrobinsonhall@gmail.com | Jun 9, 2019 | Reflections, Wonder |
This week, I got the high and holy privilege to volunteer with Camp Create in my church, our week-long summer children’s event. Our theme – Better Together – played out in five mornings of creating: cooking, science, music, drama, lettering and painting. This glorious week was chock full of giggles, bubbles, songs, squirt-gun painting, and exactly the amount of high energy you might think. I stayed caffeinated each morning. On the last day, our story was about Pentecost. Leading up to Pentecost Sunday, Associate Pastor Ruth did a beautiful job inviting the children to wonder about the “birthday of the Church.” Then, she gave each child a red ribbon to hold as they fashioned a prayer of thankfulness or concern. As they tied the ribbons together, they could choose to say their prayer aloud or keep it a silent prayer. The heap of loud, energetic children became silent as they took their task very seriously. Ruth let each child have a turn to tie their red ribbons to hers. I added my silent prayers to theirs. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done. My prayers are tied up with yours. My prayers are tied up with women and men around the world who offer prayers for peace. for their families to be well. for a job where they can thrive. for their loneliness to ease. for community. for the safety of their sons and daughters. for strength to face this day. for a place at the table. We are praying. I’m thinking, today, of this thought from NT Wright about Pentecost and prayer: “Thy kingdom come, he taught...
by Erin Robinson Hall | Aug 21, 2018 | Reflections, Uncategorized, Wonder |
Yesterday, was a promise keeping day. The promises were made over our son years ago. We stood at the front of a sanctuary with our infant. The minister took him from my arms, and walked down the aisle. He said “This child is not your own. He is a gift from God, and you will spend the rest of your days giving him back to God.” I could not breathe as I whispered yes on that day. He asked us: Do you promise to bring him to know the loving community of the Church? Do you promise to teach him language of faith, until that day when he can say yes to God on his own? We promised that we would. We have, as much as we know how. Every day, in prayers and actions and kindnesses modeled. Every chance we can, in Sunday school and meals and worship and songs. Yesterday he received a gift. He was so excited to receive his very own Bible. With his name engraved on it, he’ll have you know. Our congregation gives a new Bible to first graders, marking the entrance into a new season of faith. Our boy is quick to note that this means donuts, guitar songs and Jenga in the “big kids” Sunday school class. We know it means he is stepping further along in his own journey of faith. The choir sang “Ancient Words,” and I found myself again whispering yes. “Holy words long preserved For our walk in this world. They resound with God’s own heart Oh let the ancient words impart. Ancient words ever true Changing...
by Erin Robinson Hall | Nov 2, 2017 | Reflections, Wonder |
I peeked out my upstairs, bedroom window on November 1, about 8:00 am, and looked out into our backyard. Amidst the sunlight peering through fall leaves and the dew glistening on the grass, I saw . . . A tiny storm trooper running full speed through the yard. My little four-year old neighbor. Our dog barking her head off alerted me to this visitor outside. I couldn’t quite get my early-morning brain to pull thoughts together and figure out why he was there, and where his mom was. We had celebrated Halloween with friends and their littles the night before, so I wondered: Did he sleep in his costume last night? (Makes total sense) Did we forget someone when we all went to bed last night? Then, I found my phone and saw this text: After dying laughing, I searched my son’s room and found the mask under a pile of toys and clothes. Obviously. I ran outside and delivered the mask to the little storm trooper and his super-mom in the mini-van. That one is only topped by the text from earlier in the week that made me DIE laughing. I can’t. Cannot. The image of my 100 percent stylish, Type A, take-on-the-world friend hoisting herself onto a mannequin to strip him down made me sit right down and laugh. Which always makes my day brighter. There was also this honest lament made me howl: I mean. Tiny Sister Friend KNOWS the truth about her favorite clothes. She won’t get to wear them again. Probably not ever. Who among us has not felt bummed about a favorite...
by Erin Robinson Hall | Nov 1, 2017 | Reflections, Wonder |
“Spread the map on the table, with the coffee stain Put your finger on the places, show me where you’ve been Is that California, where your teardrops dried? You drew a circle around Georgia, can you tell me why?” A season of quiet does not mean that nothing is happening. Often, it means that things are becoming, growing beneath the surface. Things are stirring in the heart. That has been true for me. After I marched and wrote about it, I felt hurt and hushed by some of the reactions. I felt the impulse to explain myself, but I didn’t want to. I didn’t have to. So, I decided to shift my attention. I let the noise do what it will, and I turned my face to work that I love. Nurturing friendships, caring for my family, finishing projects, making a home. It’s been a while since I wrote here. A time of listening rather than speaking. I gave myself permission to simply be quiet, to receive the gifts that are before me, and to listen carefully. I heard what I needed to hear. I realized that I do not have to fill the silent space if I want to be quiet. I can be still. I can listen for the Spirit’s voice, for my own voice. It’s there. I can attend to the people who teach me everything, my beloveds. The little one who runs everywhere he goes, who laughs at the things I might miss. The one who listens to me, knows my heart, and loves me well. We have a beautiful home together. I’ve heard so...
by Erin Robinson Hall | Dec 4, 2015 | Wonder |
Today, I got to stand on hope. Literally. My family attended the dedication of the new fountain in our favorite local park. We watched this building project for months in our trips to the park. Few things thrill a little boy’s heart more than watching real, live construction. Few things thrill this mama’s heart more than learning the theme of this new fountain: a Peace Fountain. Before I could even think of the scripture reference for the first verse that came to mind, I learned that powerful words would be etched around this fountain. Quotes from local people who had worked for justice, peace and love would circle around this fountain. I couldn’t wait to see this tangible picture of the prophet’s words, “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) In our city, like many cities, we need the waters of peace like never before. In our city, like many cities, we have people who work to make the fountain of peace come to life. People gave their time, their expertise. People planted trees, spread pinestraw, and donated bricks. People put themselves into this work. The fountain is the centerpiece of a park that has been brought back to life. The last time this fountain stood tall was about 1934. This area and this park have been through years of neglect and disrepair. But through the work of a community coming together, transformation is there. It is a whole new scene. It looks like hope. When my newsfeed began to fill with responses to the latest violence yesterday, hope was not...
