Dearest Friends ~
If you're having a hard time with all that's assailing us, trust me, you're not alone.
You've touched on it in the comments of one post or another here.
Or poured it out in black and white at your online home.
You've wept soft tears over the phone as you whispered your burden and fears and we prayed back and forth for each other.
Huddled in our winter coats, you've admitted that you're frustrated and sad as we walked down the dirt path six feet apart.
You've texted, you've emailed, you've sent notes.
I've seen the exhaustion in your eyes, the tightness in your smile, the droop of your shoulders.
I hear what you're saying ... and what you're not quite able to voice.
I am with you in this struggle.
And we are not alone.
'I pray for the courage to admit that you are not fine. And that when you say those words aloud that you would be met by love and care. I pray that you would remain open to participating in your own healing, even if it comes to you in ways that you resent and fear at first. Just because it's new to you doesn't mean God isn't already waiting there for you in the doctor's office, in the therapist's room, on the page, in the conversation, in the solitude. May you welcome the love of God to your most tender places.'
- Sarah Bessey, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things
Amen and amen.
Linda
P.S.
My review of Sarah's book is here.
P.S. #2
You can subscribe to the blog here.
P.S. #3
If you're experiencing depression or anxiety, please contact your doctor. Please call 911 if you're in crisis.
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Linda,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful prayer and your love and compassion ooze lavishly from your writing.
Blessings,
Bev xx
I'm glad you're here with me early this rainy Friday morning, friend. Such fine company!
DeleteBless your weekend ...
Thank you for the kind words and the prayer. I finished Sarah's "Miracles" a month ago and am now reading her "Out of Sorts". I like that book very much too. I have been struggling with anxiety since the crisis began and it is showing up mostly in my running. The blogging community is a wonderful link for encouragement and inspiration. Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, hi! I just finished my 2nd read through of Miracles last night and when I read that prayer, I hopped out of bed to share it with you all.
DeleteAnd if it helps you to know you're not alone ... I'm dealing with anxiety, too, and have been working with my doctor to get the right med, the right dose.
We're in good company, friend!
Thanks be to God that we can bring our un-fine selves into his presence without fear of judgment. And may we be a physical manifestation of God's mercy and grace to our people.
ReplyDeleteAmen, friend! He loves us just as we are, He holds us close, and strengthens us so we can encourage others.
DeleteAnd your presence here this morning has encouraged me ...
So often your thoughts arrive in my inbox at just the right time!
DeleteI love hearing that!
Delete;-}
I am so grateful we can admit that we are not always fine. The prayer you shared is just beautiful and encouraging. I am so very grateful God has met me on the days I have come before Him and admitted I was overwhelmed by all that is happening. He rushed in to bring His peace and assurance that He is with me (us) in all things, yes, even in this! Blessings and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful that Jesus is our calm, our fortress in the storm of overwhelm ...
DeleteReading the words of Sarah, knowing they were written before there was an inkiling of what we'd be going through, is a comforting reminder of God's care for us. He knew, He knows, and he provides. Thanks for continually serving him in this space of grace.
ReplyDeleteDebby, thank you for the gentle reminder that 'He knew, he knows, and he provides.'
DeleteWe have to keep this truth continually in front of us even as events unfold. He is able ...
Thanks for sharing Sarah's prayer, beautifully written and heartfelt. You can sense her sincerity and God uses her to speak right to the soul. Her closing sentence, "May you welcome the love of God to your most tender places" reminds me again that it is my attitude towards God's love that makes the difference. Do I welcome it or is the "welcome mat" not there at those deep places?
ReplyDeleteSadly, when we're shattered and heartbroken, it's not unusual to refuse that kind of deep interaction with Him.
DeleteWho knows where it would lead? Would I start crying and never stop? Who would I be without my burdens, especially if I've been carrying them a long time?
I release my rights to my emotions and give up control when I give my pain fully to Him. And that control makes us feel safe in some odd way. At least it's familiar.
Scary stuff. But I know no other way toward deep healing.
xo
God saw I wasn't doing well,
ReplyDeleteand that my heart was breaking
for my life become a hell,
and for a world sore-aching
in the midst of dark calamity,
and a future so uncertain,
slow time that seemed eternity,
and what's behind the curtain?
And then the Godhead gently placed
His boot upside my rear,
and with these kind words I was graced:
"You don't give in to fear!
You are still a child of Mine,
now get ye up and grow a spine!"
Oh, I'd say you've grown a spine over time, friend.
DeleteYour story has many chapters ... and God is not done writing it.
Stay strong. My best to Barb and the lads.
If we must live in not-okay times, let's at least live them together the best we can. I've definitely been fighting the blues lately, Linda, but I'm trusting God to help me and guide me through the mix of feelings that well up within me. Such a tangle!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration and comfort you've offered here today.
Blessings!
Dear Martha, I'm praying for you right now during this blue season. Thankfully, God is the great Untangler of all the confusion and accompanying stuff. You said it well ... there's a real 'mix of feelings' going on for most of us.
DeletePraying He'll gently hold you as we continue forward to what He is allowing.
He whispers peace ...
God bless you, Linda, and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy continually, in Jesus' name!
ReplyDeleteI pray the same blessings for you, Cheryl ...
DeleteWhat a beautiful prayer from Sarah and thank you Linda for your gentleness and grace. Wishing you a joy-filled weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful weekend, filled with energy and spring cleaning and walking and gardening. I'm so grateful!
DeleteI hope yours was too, Pam. I see some beautiful things going on at your blog!
My first thought is to thank God for the beauty, warmth, sunshine in this day of 70 degree weather in NY. WOW way to go, God!!
ReplyDeleteI am starting to get angry at this virus and it’s trail. So much is unattended and pushed aside because of the fear and consuming quest to find answers.
Hi Carol! I'm not sure there are alot of answers right now, but there sure are questions ... along with frustration, fear, sadness, uncertainty.
DeleteLike you, I'm thanking God for that sunshine that comes and all the beauty it brings. And trusting Him in the whole process, asking for His wisdom to navigate this well.
Hard stuff.
I love that prayer and quote from Sarah. Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Linda, and for encouraging us in this very dark and scary time! Hugs from afar!
ReplyDeleteBeth, I miss hugging, don't you?!
Delete;-(
I felt the prayer as I read Sarah's prayer Linda. Trusting God all the more. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDelete'All the more.' I love that, Cindy. There is no other way through this mess, is there.
DeleteI'm glad you're here.