Today, I was driving and thinking about why I am struggling to blog. As I worked some of it through in my mind and heart, I realized that when I am processing deeper areas in my life, my thoughts don’t feel very orderly when I put them on paper.
I have a big week coming up. I will be a delegate to the Christian Reformed Church Synod. I am unsure what to write about this, but I know the Church feels very complicated to me.
Synod has been a part of my life all my years, as my Dad was significantly involved in CRC leadership. Over the years, somehow, when they labored together, the group of people who came to the floor of Synod, did the work of the Church, and God was glorified. Not everyone was happy, difficulties were present, and conflict was real, but the Church persevered together.
Many people find the church complicated and unsafe and have suffered harm from it. I want to be part of a faith community that offers invitation, healing, and wholeness to all of God’s children.
In my spiritual journey, I have learned that God loves me so much that He will speak to me about my life, and He loves you so much that He will speak to you about yours. But God will not tell me what you need to hear. If God is speaking to me about you, then my job is to pray for God to convict your heart, not to instill the fear of God into you. For when I tell you what God said about how you must live, I believe that borders on spiritual abuse.
May my lifestyle invite curiosity about my faith, and may I live the Gospel in ways that bring Hope to the hopeless…
I think that is enough for now. This feels like a lot to put into writing, but it is the journey to my heart.
I love God, I love the Church, and I love People!
At the end of the day, I believe it is all in God’s hands. ❤️ trish
out why this happened. However, in some honest reflection, I began to understand that life events cause transitions. When my friends were getting married and having kids, and I remained single, perhaps it was more about transitions than rejection! Perhaps there were seasons to friendships that, instead of being grieved, can be marked and remembered as memorable and good!
There is something so fluid about living with the ability to let people, thoughts, and life come and stay and then go.
Meet anger with…Sympathy
we drove to Chicago and back. It was worth every minute on the road to celebrate Ryan’s graduation from Grad School! Not only did he graduate with honors from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, but he also turned 26 on Thursday. I am a very proud aunt.
Today, his partner and dear Hannah suggested we offer Ryan good words to celebrate his accomplishments. I love nothing more than the offering of words, affirming the personality, character, giftedness, and impact of Ryan’s life on those he loves.
It was during that season of sorrow Hermie began to join our Sunday dinner table? It began when we were all younger, and it continues today, some forty+ years later. We have shared many meals, dried dishes together, laughed, wept, and hugged more than anyone could count, drank many glasses of wine, and shared countless hours of conversation. We have gone from neighbors to friends to family.
Hermie, you are an inspiring woman of faith! You have held deep joy and more than your share of sorrow! You have cared for and blessed your children in their living life to the fullest and have returned each of them to the hands of a loving God.
And still, you find beauty in each day! You cherish moments of conversation,
time spent together, a good meal with vegetables, worship with your EACRC community, and time with your siblings, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
I believe this to be true with every fiber of my being. Shame is powerful and is hard to shake free of. But somehow, I have experienced and witnessed that in safe spaces, shame will dissipate before our eyes. But shame can creep back and return. Safe places must be found and nurtured in our lives. I wonder if you know your safe spaces? Can you name your safe people? Can you see their faces or identify how you feel with them? In today’s world, I believe everyone of all gender orientations should have some time to name and claim safe spaces and faces. This is a critical concept for physical, mental, and emotional safety. It is imperative to live free from overwhelming shame!