We weren’t made to be the stars of our own shows, to think that we are the only people that exist; but to play out this thing called life with the rest of the humans on the planet. Not just the ones we like, the ones that are like us, or the ones who are nearby. We can’t let distance rob us of our humanity.
I took my lead from the wise and brave Abby Norman, and declared it ‘gentle January’. (I discovered that if you make it into a hashtag, then it becomes a ‘thing’). Here are the latest book and music recommendations plus ideas for Lent
On Christmas Day itself I couldn’t really interact, but I was well enough to witness, and as one friend pointed out to me, that’s mainly what Christmas Day is about, anyway – watching the youngest member of the family rip open gifts in excitement.
What’s your ‘one word’ for 2016? If you haven’t come across One Word 365 yet, it’s a fun alternative to New Year Resolutions.
These were my most popular blog posts for 2015. I’ve done two lists – the first is according to number of retweets, and therefore includes pieces I’ve done elsewhere; the second is the most popular blog posts according to number of reads on this site.
If this year you’re feeling quite blue
And your patience is all but worn through
If your children are restive
Or your nose is congestive
And you wish that the old year was new
My top five favourite fiction books of 2015 – it’s all about quality, not quantity. Why All the Light You Cannot See really is worth the hype, plus more amazing books by Ann Patchett, author of Bel Canto
For my ‘Best Christian books of 2015’, I have to add a huge caveat: I was particularly looking for books on the particular topics I cover on the blog: the spirituality of suffering, doubt, relating to God in hard times, chronic illness, social justice and others.
Sign up to get my Substack newsletter with exclusive updates and offers and receive your FREE e-book.
Tanya Marlow blogs on the Bible, suffering and the messy edges of life [read more]