Anna, thank you for sharing this piece! It felt like a gap in the clouds; a moment of grace amid turmoil. You have such a lovely way of communicating your thoughts, emotions, and growth through words.
One thing I was surprised to learn about God (even after my whole life in the church!), was that He loves me, and all His creations, simply for existing. Now, from a logical standpoint, I knew this, but it took until recently for me to really believe it. Your writing reminded me of this truth and inspired me to reflect: I think good friends, like God, will know, hold, and love you no matter how many "boxes" you check. I hope I can be one of those friends for you <3
Thank you for your comment, Hannah. I also often find it hard to believe God loves me for just being, and it’s partly because our social and religious institutions seemed to be based around proving and being deserving of love and of God. It feels so strange to receive love without earning it, but that’s why it’s a gift. I hope I can be a friend to you in this way, too. ❤️
This was so tender & beautiful. Also, I will never forget turning towards the Gospel “like sunflower s” 🌻🌻😭😭thank you for sowing beauty…. This helped my heart…💝
Thank you Becca. 💕 I don’t always feel like a sunflower, but I love that the Anglican tradition physically practices turning to Jesus, so maybe eventually, we can learn to turn to him in our daily lives too.
I'm so glad Priest Friend Beth made an appearance here. Thank you for this offering, Anna. I've never imagined Mary in the cave before, and honestly it makes a lot more sense for her not to recognize Jesus if she is. I also would never have made the connection between "be still and know" and "don't cling to me". The image I was given was of hanging off a cliff and needing to let go of the cliff in order to be drawn up by a rope. Can't say I'm always doing it.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Meg. I also didn’t think of Mary in a cave until today. I assumed she was outside in the garden, but now, I think it makes sense that she went into the tomb, since she wasn’t afraid of coming close to pain, sorrow, and death. I also find it hard to be still, or to let go of the rope. But I felt his grace today, and in many ways, I think that was a way of being held. I hope you feel these moments of grace too ❤️
Anna, thank you for sharing this piece! It felt like a gap in the clouds; a moment of grace amid turmoil. You have such a lovely way of communicating your thoughts, emotions, and growth through words.
One thing I was surprised to learn about God (even after my whole life in the church!), was that He loves me, and all His creations, simply for existing. Now, from a logical standpoint, I knew this, but it took until recently for me to really believe it. Your writing reminded me of this truth and inspired me to reflect: I think good friends, like God, will know, hold, and love you no matter how many "boxes" you check. I hope I can be one of those friends for you <3
Thank you for your comment, Hannah. I also often find it hard to believe God loves me for just being, and it’s partly because our social and religious institutions seemed to be based around proving and being deserving of love and of God. It feels so strange to receive love without earning it, but that’s why it’s a gift. I hope I can be a friend to you in this way, too. ❤️
This was so tender & beautiful. Also, I will never forget turning towards the Gospel “like sunflower s” 🌻🌻😭😭thank you for sowing beauty…. This helped my heart…💝
Thank you Becca. 💕 I don’t always feel like a sunflower, but I love that the Anglican tradition physically practices turning to Jesus, so maybe eventually, we can learn to turn to him in our daily lives too.
This is such a beautiful Easter reminder and shook me out of my own cynicism as well. Thank you for sharing as always!
Of course, Drew! I’m happy to know this could offer some consolation during this time. I hope all the Millers had a lovely Easter 😊
I'm so glad Priest Friend Beth made an appearance here. Thank you for this offering, Anna. I've never imagined Mary in the cave before, and honestly it makes a lot more sense for her not to recognize Jesus if she is. I also would never have made the connection between "be still and know" and "don't cling to me". The image I was given was of hanging off a cliff and needing to let go of the cliff in order to be drawn up by a rope. Can't say I'm always doing it.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Meg. I also didn’t think of Mary in a cave until today. I assumed she was outside in the garden, but now, I think it makes sense that she went into the tomb, since she wasn’t afraid of coming close to pain, sorrow, and death. I also find it hard to be still, or to let go of the rope. But I felt his grace today, and in many ways, I think that was a way of being held. I hope you feel these moments of grace too ❤️