Author: Violeta
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Authority
Have you ever had a teacher without authority? Or a boss without authority? It’s uncomfortable, it’s chaos, it can be scary. Authority doesn’t mean forceful, unmovable. On the contrary. It’s reasonable, wise. And genuine authority is not something we muster up. Knowing God and understanding our mandate, we rise to the occasion to protect, to…
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MOPS – garden party
Last fall I was busy preparing an ARFO event: the launch of a book. I came alone to the first meeting @mopscluj Then I was invited to be part of the team, and to translate materials as needed. I didn’t know what to say yes to. But it was like a mustard seed. Small. Insignificant.…
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It has been a marathon week
A blessed marathon of embracing others, listening, encouraging and getting inspired. We broke bread with strangers who became dear friends. We shared stories and then sat in silence together, to let the truth sink in. Our week of SALT was layered, with local initiatives and visits to new and old friends in other cities who…
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The day I yelled at a stranger
In the parking lot, trying to drop Jackie off for camp, on our way to start our conference serving Ukrainians. It was a hot Sunday, and I was going to give the main talk to an uncertain number of attendees. Needless to say, we were on edge and we didn’t even know it. The drop-off…
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Secondary trauma – SALT reflection
People who have cared for refugees, who serve so selflessly still, even if they take days to refresh and refocus on their own family, they are touched by secondary trauma. We are by nature empathizers. We are motivated by other people’s needs and fueled by an unexplainable love and connection. Since the war began, we…
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Dealing with disappointment
There is a time to wallow in disappointment and there is a time to act. I first do what needs to be done to fix the issue, to solve a problem as far as it depends on me, and then the reality hits me and I cry my eyes out. We had already sent the…
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Ivy’s plea
Conrad took his parents on a last hiking adventure beyond our garden in the woods. It’s Friday. The days are hot, but not before 10AM. The mornings are beautiful cool, or warm, or breezy. The type of temperature you want the time to stand still in. On their way back they stopped at our storage…
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Why am I still here?
We put our big luggage through and passed the security checkpoint when we learned that our flight was cancelled. I still thought there was a way we could find a feasible solution to our travel plans. Our week in the south of france, by the pool, eating fruit, sipping wine. Chatting. The guys exploring the…
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Two weeks with family in Romania
Conrad was giving Rufus a haircut when we got a text from dad that they landed in Cluj and are through the security. I panicked. Their room was made, but the house was in disarray. And leaving in a rush left it in a worse disarray. We drove like maniacs, while following the rules. We…
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În prag de decizii
Am fost conștientă de lupta spirituală ce se dă în toate planurile Domnului pentru noi. În dreptul nostru am ales cu o minte limpede, cerebral, cântărit, și nu mereu mânată de emoții, deși au și ele rostul lor. Sentimentul de neliniște, de ne-împăcare, trebuie confruntat cu fapte, cu liste. Cum ar fi dacă merg mai…
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Nemulțumire
“De ce plecam mâine?” Vreau sa mai stam. Oftat adânc. Tremurat de buze. Uitat cu coada ochiului in podidit de plâns si tristețe. Anul ăsta așa e de fiecare data când mergem undeva nou. Fetele zic că atunci când sunt mari ele vor locui la hotel, că e mai frumos. Cineva face curat după tine.…
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Cum să facem bine alor noștri
Îmi suflec mânecile imaginare și pun masa. Aranjez prânzul copios pe platouri. Toată lumea mulțumită, fericită. Recunoștința tuturor Însă nu mă inspiră. Adică știu că-i bună mâncarea și-i bine primită, dar n-am făcut-o pentru laude și mulțumire. Astea, cum să zic, mă lasă rece. Când cineva se ridică și completează ceea ce fac. Strânge masa.…