A small gathering of musicians, potters, painters, writers, and other artists captured a few quiet moments of food and conversation with singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken and musician Kenny Meeks in the home of Birmingham painter and InSpero founder, Gina Hurry.

Beauty and brokenness are a package deal. If I live only in beauty, I live in denial. If I live only in brokenness, I live in despair. Beauty in the midst of brokenness is the cup of cold water, the hint of hope that there is more to come.

I never thought I was a worrier. Then I had kids.

2. Life is bitter/sweet.

All I could hear was Miracle Max’s voice from Princess Bride. Was the vine “mostly dead or all dead?”

My late-bloomer bucket list is long: running a marathon, having straight teeth, singing on key.

They show up every day and run their race by faith that God is good in the midst of a life not planned nor wanted.T

Just press the blasted key. Publish the blog. Send that submission. Sign up for that race. Why is it so hard? Because, then, there are no excuses. You're out there.

People commented, “Wow! Beautiful. Glad it’s so ‘easy’ for them. I couldn’t do that.” They were clueless--nothing about this show was easy for these artists or for me as their soul-tender.