Gratitude Matters Part 2: Sleeping With Bread with guest Mary Bogan

Why does gratitude even matter?

In this special Thanksgiving edition of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Tara talks with her long-time blogging (yes blogging) friend Mary Bogan about the power of observing gratitude practices that began over 15 years ago.

Our shared online gratitude practices  (Click the green preceding text to read our Blog posts.) were sparked by the book, Sleeping With Bread, by Dennis, Shelia and Matthew Linn.

We had no idea that our little Monday shared Blog would change the way we both see the world - as well as our spiritual practices. This little book, and Sleeping With Bread Mondays have changed the course of our lives, and helped us to, "hold on to what gives us life"; over more than 15 years and 2000 miles that separate us.

We invite you to try on a new gratitude practice this November (and the months to come). As a source of consolation in our desolation - and good bread for the body, mind and soul!

If you want to see how Tara is practicing gratitude all of November, follow her on Instagram at: Holy Shenanigans.
To join Mary on her gratitude journey, go to: Quitecontrariantvarientmary

To support this podcast go to: Buy Me A Coffee Tara Eastman

(An introduction to the Linn's Book, Sleeping With Bread)
What is Sleeping with Bread?
During the bombing raids of WWII, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow." (Linn, Dennis et al, Sleeping With Bread, p.l)

Prompts To Try Your Own Examen Practice: Other Ways of Asking the Question

For what am I most grateful? Least grateful?
When did I give

Send Tara a Text Message

The Balance of Gray
God, doubt, and proof walk into a podcast... it goes better than you’d expect!

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America). She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Preventio