Deep Breathing for the Soul

Today, I spent most of my time going through the edits on my next book. The editor reads the manuscript, then sends it back with questions, comments, and so on. I have to answer, edit, and so on.

This is the “grind” part of being an author. Did the source I quoted really not use commas where we think they should? Maybe we shouldn’t quote from the TNIV (major trauma, now resolved). You read through your work and see the “track changes” comments on each page and you want to pull your hair out. You want to just get through the 70,000 word manuscript, but then you want to check everything because this is the last time you can try to rewrite to say exactly what you were trying to say–but it has to be done by tomorrow.

I sat at the computer for eight hours today, editing. Did I mention that it was a gorgeous sunny summer day? Finally around 5 p.m. I went outside, and went for a run. My neighbors Bobbie and Colleen were out on Colleen’s porch, just talking. when I got back from my run, I went inside for a drink of water. Then I grabbed the leftover bruschetta I made yesterday, and went over to the porch for a glass of wine and a bit of conversation.

The porch is a place where we connect. We talk about everything from hair color to the keys to a good marriage, from the walk your schedule day at the junior high today to how to impart our values to our children. I’m blessed to live in a great neighborhood where I have close friends across the street and next door. But part of what makes it great is that I have learned when to get off the computer and go bring some bruschetta and bread over to the porch.

Do you have a porch? A place in your neighborhood where you gather to just connect, to just love on your neighbors?

Can I just say how much I enjoy summer? I’m writing on my laptop with the windows open to the evening chorus of songbirds. It’s warm but not so hot we need the air conditioning.

On my way home from work around 3 p.m., I drove past my friend Sharon’s house and saw her sitting on her front porch. I pulled in and sat and chatted with her for an hour–during which another neighbor, Kathy, came by and also joined us. This kind of thing simply can’t happen in the winter in Chicago.

Now, I had things to get done at home. But I wanted to connect with Sharon, and it was a gorgeous summer day. We just sat and caught up on life, our kids. We discussed things both trivial and deep. I just enjoy spending time with her. So without much effort, I chose to spend part of my day connecting with someone who brings me joy and laughter. I got to hear about the fun things going on in her life, and the challenges her family is facing. I know how to pray for her better after our conversation, and she offered some wisdom about some things going on in my life.

It feeds my soul to sit on a front step and talk with a friend. We often think soul care consists in studying the Bible or long times of solitude—which can be very helpful. But Jesus said the most important thing is to love God and love your neighbor. How can you love your neighbors if you don’t really take some time to know what’s going on in their lives? and when you are loved on by your neighbors, that feeds your soul as well.

I’m lucky to live in this neighborhood, and to have lived here for 17 years. Sharon and I have sons the same age, we were at their 8th grade graduation two days ago. We volunteered in their kindergarden class together, and now they are going to high school. Long term friendships like that are no small gift, and its important to nurture them.

This summer, I have a lot of work on my plate–book projects, my part-time job, stuff at home and with my kids. But I want to slow down enough to enjoy the amazing women God has put in my life. I want to be a friend who has time to stop and visit, to find the joy in the everyday.  To slow down enough to let summer and it’s spontaneous joys feed my soul.