Melinda Emily Thomas

The Journal of Elements and Seasons

All new writing is posted on my Substack, The Journal of Elements and Seasons. Subscribe and receive monthly reflections and poems, creative prompts, and prayer inspiration.

Subscribe

From the Blog Archive:

Writing from 2010-2021

  • The Race

    I commit to a lifetime of ongoing conversion and transformation, recognizing that I am always on a journey with both gifts and limitations. ~ Christine Valters Paintner, Monk Manifesto Rex Stout, author of the Nero Wolf mystery series, was a genius. Once a word was down on paper he never changed it. For one who…

  • Here We Go Again

    The light just changed. Did you see it? I noticed the shift at 5:10pm on Thursday, August 23rd.  The evening sun, no longer a red flush of summer, now sets in colors more akin to rose and gold. This oh-so-subtle alteration that comes in mid-August is accompanied by the potential for my mood to tank—which…

  • Reentry

    After a relaxing week in the mountains with my family I am home and readjusting to the rhythms of ordinary life. I’ve been back for two weeks but the difficult process of reentry continues. I find myself doing the same thing I do every year—looking at google maps and dreaming of faraway destinations. The late…

  • Summer Sabbath

    “Sabbath is one of the profound gifts of a generous and abundant divine presence who says that work is good and rest is necessary.” ~ Christine Valters Paintner Every summer, Christine Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts (you know the woman, I work for her and quote her often) takes time off from newsletters…

  • Presence and Preparation

    I have the itch. The longing to be in the mountains at Kanuga, embraced by Rhododendron and hugged by my family. What a gift to have such love in my life.  The eight or so weeks before Kanuga are a season of preparation. I change the wallpaper on my phone to pictures from that holy…

  • Seven Days of Grace Part II

    Seven years ago I wrote a little piece called Seven Days of Grace. It’s just a little meditation; a little bit of paying attention to seek out moments of Grace. This is Part II. Where do you find Grace in your day? Monday My inbox is full of people wanting last minute exceptions for summer…