Red Tent Living

Shame Walks into Steam

By: redtentwomen October 3, 2022September 12, 2022

Femininity, Monthly ThemesBeth Bruno, body shame, hamam, Istanbul, public bath house2 Comments

There is a place I like to go that makes me feel brave and beautiful. From the congested street corner you might miss it. If you didn’t know what to look for, you would be carefully watching for the tram or from which direction the long line of honking taxis will emerge first. You might…

Wisdom Says

By: redtentwomen September 30, 2022September 24, 2022

Faith, Monthly Themes, relationships, WholeheartedInner Peace, Jean Masukevich, self-care, Wisdom6 Comments

Beneath the noise and confusion, there is a deep inner knowing. This is the voice of truth—the wise one within, always calling us back home to ourselves. There is safety under the shelter of the wise one’s expansive wings. She is an angel of light who is always available to comfort and guide us if…

Quiet, Please

By: redtentwomen September 28, 2022September 11, 2022

Intentional Living, Monthly Themesbeing silenced, Bethany Cabell, Shame, using one's voice, Wednesday in the Weeds1 Comment

All eyes peered in my direction as the room transitioned to silence. Sitting in the middle of the room, according to my assigned seat, placed me among a majority of my friends. Scurrying to English class, I slid into my seat and into the conversations surrounding me. The bell rang, signaling the start of class,…

Hosanna

By: redtentwomen September 26, 2022September 23, 2022

Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly ThemesAnne Lowry Pharr, Hope, PraiseLeave a Comment

We come—our lives brim-full with laughter and longing, delight and dread, fear and fury. Whether effervescent, elated, exuberant, exultant, or hunger-haunted, hurt-hollowed, we are expectant with a question: “Will I be met with wrath, or wrapped in warmest welcome?”

Enough

By: redtentwomen September 23, 2022September 13, 2022

Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, relationships, WarriorDanielle Castillejo, Fighting Injustice, injustice, Justice, Perpetrators of Abuse, Sexual Harassment, standing up for what is right1 Comment

I look down at my phone and see an Instagram story. It catches my eye. This is not very unique for me, but I get in these rabbit holes chasing interesting stories. Maybe because it’s fall 2021, and the kid’s schooling is back online. For me, meandering through other people’s vacations, or sipping extra coffee…

The Solace of Solidarity

By: redtentwomen September 21, 2022September 14, 2022

Faith, Femininity, Monthly Themes, relationshipsAttunement, Ministry, Tracy Johnson, Wednesday in the Weeds, Women in Leadership, Women in Ministry5 Comments

Dear Ministry Sister, I’ve had you on my mind all afternoon. I’ve been thinking about how things are for you and what I would want to hear if I was you. First, I want to say thank you. Thank you for saying yes to the call that led you where you are today. I want…

Small Moments

By: redtentwomen September 19, 2022September 17, 2022

Day to Day, Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly Themes, relationshipsDeath, Dying Well, God's Love, Intentional Living, Katy Johnson Stafford, Small Moments, Todd Billings1 Comment

Right before the clock marked the start of theology class each day, Dr. Todd Billings would arrive in a rush: a massive stack of reference articles tucked beneath his arm, a legal pad filled with scribbles in his hand, and the quirkiest of laughs ready to sound in delight at his students. Under Dr. Billings’…

The Dance

By: redtentwomen September 16, 2022August 10, 2022

Faith, Femininity, Monthly ThemesBody image, dancing, Jody Washburn, self-confidence1 Comment

“I’m a queen, Mama,” my daughter declares, looking up at me as I help her into her favorite sparkly twirling dress. Her eyes glow with the same determined assurance that comes through in her voice when she stands transfixed by a ninja warrior performance and declares with calm certainty, “I could do that.” As we…

Neverland Girl

By: redtentwomen September 14, 2022August 6, 2022

Faith, Intentional Living, Monthly Themesperfectionism, Peter Pan and Wendy, true self, Wednesday in the Weeds, Wendy Lipham5 Comments

His plan might have worked if I hadn’t been a girl. My brother was three when I was born and lived in a make-believe world created from bedtime stories and pages of well-worn children’s books. He loved hearing the same stories repeatedly, and his favorite tale included pirate ships and crocodiles. His relationship with fantasy…

Women to Match Our Mountains

By: redtentwomen September 12, 2022September 12, 2022

Femininity, Monthly Themes, relationshipsbluegrass, Devan Grayson, female empowerment, truth, women's voices1 Comment

I have a soft spot for bluegrass. I played in an Appalachian ensemble in college, and ever since then have found comfort in the music’s brash harmonies and communal energy. As I stroll down the main street of a small town in North Carolina with a good friend, I feel my heart stir at the…