You are one of my breadcrumbs. Also my church community. My co-workers (shoutout to Jen Yokel for always being a calm presence). Andy Squyres. Jon Guerra. Recently Zane Vickery.
I feel like you would love the band mewithoutYou!? Even if you're not into heavier music, Aaron Weiss has a stunning and brutal way of writing what's it's like to wrestle with God... I don't really know how else to describe it...
“and learn to attach healthily without putting all of our hope in people and institutions again.” This ALL the way is the lesson I’ve also been learning in my own time. ❤️ Also love that you mention John Green!
I have been so wrecked by faith communities, and now family/political community and not sure how to navigate going forward-am working on deep.soul care. Thank you for your very real presence here, you are definitely breadcrumbs- heck, maybe even croutons!
Thank you for being here and saying that, Susan. A few friends and I are hoping to pull together a "survival kit? soon for those, like you, who are trying to learn how to navigate forward. I'm glad you're here.
Wow! I have been following along since some of your earlier days. And have always been encouraged by your words. My husband and I are currently walking through our own journey of healing post elder lead church context that has deeply hurt us. I have never felt this alone. But I am so thankful for your words and for this post.
Also Josh Garrels “Surrounded” has been on repeat nearly daily for months.
Yep, there are times I’ve needed to step away from the role of gatherer or authority. I’ve needed to be the apprentice, the seeker, in other aspects of my life. Thank you again for sharing bits of your journey.
You, Sarah Bessey, and Aundi Kolber are my most read for books, substack, and Instagram - and first up when I receive your posts in my inbox. 💗
I’m also thankful for the voices of Kate Bowler and Makoto Fujimura and Scott Erickson.
And the music of Jon Guerra, Skye Peterson, Mission House, Common Hymnal, Rich Mullins, and Andrew Peterson have carried me through ordinary and joyful days, and painful and tender times for sure.
Thank you, Sarah and Aundi are good companions for the journey. Thank you for reading what we write. Oh, yes, I'm also thankful for Kate and Mokoto! And the others you mentioned!
I love that you included John Green in this list! I have enjoyed his nonfiction writing so much in recent years, where his relationship with faith/doubt/hope really comes through. I am constantly quoting his essay on Indianapolis, where I grew up, which has such clarity about living in a community.
Your “never again’s” are good boundaries! Now, Jesus, help us to discern with love, who you bring for deep friendship, who for casual conversation, who are ready for healthy relationships and will walk with grace and curiosity together…I call them “running partners” yet I think maybe “walking partners “ is wiser. ❤️. Thank you for your words that resonate and for your courage to walk the hard path of healing.
Lore, I don't comment often but I read always...and you are dropping breadcrumbs for me. Thank you for being so vulnerable and so truthful in your struggles and journey. Thank you for showing the work, all of it. I know there are probably many, many of your readers, who, like me, find so much comfort in reading your words.
So helpful. I feel like I’ve watched you walk a similar road from a far. And I agree on all the authors! I’d add Henri Nouwen and Emily P. Freeman
You are one of my breadcrumbs. Also my church community. My co-workers (shoutout to Jen Yokel for always being a calm presence). Andy Squyres. Jon Guerra. Recently Zane Vickery.
Thank you for these words.
Thank you, Nicole. That means a lot to me. Jen is the best, right? I don't know Zane Vickery, will check out!
And Jen is truly the best!
I have listened to his songs Hydrangea and Is There Room Enough For Me dozens of times since December.
I feel like you would love the band mewithoutYou!? Even if you're not into heavier music, Aaron Weiss has a stunning and brutal way of writing what's it's like to wrestle with God... I don't really know how else to describe it...
I'm not into heavier music, but I am into stunning and brutal writing, so I'll check them out!
Second. The song "King Beetle on a Coconut Estate" is one of my life songs.
“and learn to attach healthily without putting all of our hope in people and institutions again.” This ALL the way is the lesson I’ve also been learning in my own time. ❤️ Also love that you mention John Green!
With you =)
I have been so wrecked by faith communities, and now family/political community and not sure how to navigate going forward-am working on deep.soul care. Thank you for your very real presence here, you are definitely breadcrumbs- heck, maybe even croutons!
Thank you for being here and saying that, Susan. A few friends and I are hoping to pull together a "survival kit? soon for those, like you, who are trying to learn how to navigate forward. I'm glad you're here.
Wow! I have been following along since some of your earlier days. And have always been encouraged by your words. My husband and I are currently walking through our own journey of healing post elder lead church context that has deeply hurt us. I have never felt this alone. But I am so thankful for your words and for this post.
Also Josh Garrels “Surrounded” has been on repeat nearly daily for months.
I am so sorry you're walking through this and so sorry you feel alone. I hope you feel some light soon.
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. Always good.
Thank you for sharing more about your journey!
Yep, there are times I’ve needed to step away from the role of gatherer or authority. I’ve needed to be the apprentice, the seeker, in other aspects of my life. Thank you again for sharing bits of your journey.
I think you would love @sophiestrand! I can lend you her memoir, The Body is a Doorway: A Journey Beyond Healing, Hope, and the Human
You've mentioned her a couple of times! Her memoir looks right up my alley. As soon as I finish Lisa's book, I'll borrow that from you =)
Lore 🥹🥹🥹 I feel the same way, in so many ways. Thank you for this.
That means a lot, friend. Thankful for you always.
You, Sarah Bessey, and Aundi Kolber are my most read for books, substack, and Instagram - and first up when I receive your posts in my inbox. 💗
I’m also thankful for the voices of Kate Bowler and Makoto Fujimura and Scott Erickson.
And the music of Jon Guerra, Skye Peterson, Mission House, Common Hymnal, Rich Mullins, and Andrew Peterson have carried me through ordinary and joyful days, and painful and tender times for sure.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for asking. 🥰
Thank you, Sarah and Aundi are good companions for the journey. Thank you for reading what we write. Oh, yes, I'm also thankful for Kate and Mokoto! And the others you mentioned!
So good, so needed. Always so grateful for your writing on hurt and healing.
Thank you =)
This is full of wisdom. Thank you!
I love that you included John Green in this list! I have enjoyed his nonfiction writing so much in recent years, where his relationship with faith/doubt/hope really comes through. I am constantly quoting his essay on Indianapolis, where I grew up, which has such clarity about living in a community.
Isn't he great! I hadn't read or listened to him much until this past year and I've been so thankful for him over the past six or eight months.
Your “never again’s” are good boundaries! Now, Jesus, help us to discern with love, who you bring for deep friendship, who for casual conversation, who are ready for healthy relationships and will walk with grace and curiosity together…I call them “running partners” yet I think maybe “walking partners “ is wiser. ❤️. Thank you for your words that resonate and for your courage to walk the hard path of healing.
Well, they're boundaries. I'm still learning whether they're good ones or not ;)
Lore, I don't comment often but I read always...and you are dropping breadcrumbs for me. Thank you for being so vulnerable and so truthful in your struggles and journey. Thank you for showing the work, all of it. I know there are probably many, many of your readers, who, like me, find so much comfort in reading your words.
Thank you, Katy. That means so much to me. Truly, truly.