Shannon's Corner

SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Happy New Year!  The year began on a joyful note—time with my family and even winning the Golden Plunger.  As lighthearted as that moment was, it felt symbolic.  I sense the Lord gently opening and stretching me, inviting me to   take the plunge   with Him into the fresh and new work He is doing. Have you ever realized how much you missed something only after it re-entered your life?  Basketball has always been woven into the fabric of the Eaton family.  Growing up, my four siblings and I played, watched college games, and faithfully filled out March Madness brackets.  After 2006, basketball largely disappeared from my life—until a couple of years ago, when my nephews started playing. This season, basketball has returned in an unexpected and meaningful way.    Through St. Theresa’s basketball, the Lord has provided a local community that has been a deep gift to my sou...

  Before you can hear what is true for you, you have to slow down enough to notice what’s happening inside you. Discernment always begins with connection — to your body, your emotions, your longings, and your fatigue. Your body often knows before your mind does. A tightening in your chest. A heaviness in your shoulders. A sense of relief when you imagine saying no. A quiet excitement when you imagine saying yes. These are not inconveniences. They are information. So many of us override this inner data because we’ve learned to be “reasonable,” “helpful,” or “easygoing.” But discernment asks something different:   Can I be honest about what I am actually experiencing? Try asking yourself: ·         What do I feel when I think about this choice? ·         Where do I sense resistance or openness in my body? ·         Am I moving from fear, obligation, or clarity? Connection cre...

  Most of us were taught how to make decisions. Very few of us were taught how to  discern . Deciding is often fast and external. What makes sense? What’s practical? What will keep others happy? Discernment is slower and deeper. It asks:   What is true for me? What is being invited? What aligns with who I am becoming? Decision-making is about options. Discernment is about alignment. A decision asks,  “What should I do?” Discernment asks,  “Who am I becoming — and what choice is faithful to that?” For those of us in seasons of transition—burnout, grief, change, or quiet longing—or those who are wired to care, serve, and show up for others, discernment can feel unfamiliar. We’re often trained to respond to needs, expectations, and urgency rather than to our own inner knowing. Over time, this pulls us out of ourselves. Discernment is how we learn to listen again. It is   the gentle, courageous practice of coming back home.