I appreciate the simplicity of the practice you share today, as well as its practicality. I feel like I’ve been floundering in my faith in this season because the practices of my past spiritual life feel unattainable, but I also have this deep sense of my need for God. I’m in a place of trying to take steps towards God again, and it really helps to remember that God is discoverable, and wants to meet with me as I am on this pilgrimage.
Thanks for sharing this, Kelly. I find a lot of hope in that premise as well: that God is discoverable. Not hiding. And maybe it’s a gift that the practices from your past feel unattainable? Room for something fresh and new ✨
"my body remembered the Presence of God. My body saved my faith." This resonates with me too! I had a deeper connection to God than what the evangelical church had taught me and that has held through the ups and downs of the ocean's movement. I am drawn to the liturgical calendar and liturgical practices, in part, because they involve the whole body. There are colors, flowers, foods, actions, etc to do/experience that provide multiple ways for me to connect with an aspect of faith. Looking forward to my walk today. (PS. We have been "attending" GSNY since the beginning of the pandemic - a true port in the storm - excited to hear you preach tomorrow! )
I love the liturgical calendar too! It’s paradoxical but observing the changing seasons makes me feel grounded because they come back around every year.
Totally get that. And in my experience, even though we do the same things every year, every year still feels different. I'm different. The world is different. And there is always more to learn about God. So it is old and new at the same time.
I agree with you both. The liturgical calendar felt like something steady to hold to when my faith felt wobbly. Dawn, I love that you’re part of Good Shepherd’s digital community! I recorded the sermon this past Friday. Preaching to a camera is scary! Glad to know there’sa friendly face out there behind the screen 😍
Micha, I have enjoyed your newsletter for months now after a recommendation from a friend, but today is the first day that I felt I needed to respond. Your ideas are spot on and much needed! I had a conversation this week with a friend who unexpectedly shared her disillusionment and struggles in the church. Having just returned from a literal pilgrimage myself, I was able to share with her the language of spiritual journey and pilgrimage. A particular book that I have loved is called “Without Oars” by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. So thank you for exploring a way of being with God that includes mind, body, and spirit, and for encouraging us in new ways to experience the Really Real. God is discoverable. Thanks for this “new to me” author’s perspective. I love a new book 😁 Deep peace to you.
Like many others have expressed, your words this week spoke to me so deeply I couldn't not respond. And I am not one who takes time to engage online. But you are bringing hope and I have to let you know. The phrase, "My body saved my faith" was so meaningful. I am now emerging from a deeply dark time of struggling with post-partum anxiety that left me incapacitated and wondering why my body is doing things against my will. I didn't realize the narrative that I gleaned from my spiritual traditions said "the body must be conquered and submit to the will and the mind." How false this has been as I have had panic attacks against my will and births with so many complications! I saw that I was not in charge of my body no matter how hard I tried. But I woke up to what my body was trying to communicate and seeing its love in getting my attention. My spirituality is floundering right now in my intellect as I question many things from my youth. But I find such comfort in the liturgies (like many have commented) and in the bodies of my friends who display Jesus to me when I can't encounter him on my own. Their own physical bodies have been a part of my staying tethered spiritually. As they brought me meals, cared from my children, held my baby, texted me constantly, and told me I needed medicine and therapy. I may have died and my faith certainly would have without my body and their bodies showing up. Even my therapy of EMDR which is very physical, reset my nervous system and helped me move forward again. So now I tap my shoulders or stomp my feet or breathe deeply when my body starts to tell me things are not as they should be. And this is my spiritual practice for now.
I never comment but couldn't not today as I read your words. Thank you. You have managed to articulate beautifully different things about faith and spirituality that have been buzzing around my head, particularly as I consider if/when/how I return to church someday. Definitely something to take to my next spiritual direction session!
Oh dear, this is definitely not half baked. I’m sitting here enjoying the spirit as I sit in the sunshine and soak up all these wise words. “because I desperately want to give words to the process of Christian spirituality as pilgrimage, as an unfolding that deepens us. Feeling deepened today...
I appreciate the simplicity of the practice you share today, as well as its practicality. I feel like I’ve been floundering in my faith in this season because the practices of my past spiritual life feel unattainable, but I also have this deep sense of my need for God. I’m in a place of trying to take steps towards God again, and it really helps to remember that God is discoverable, and wants to meet with me as I am on this pilgrimage.
Thanks for sharing this, Kelly. I find a lot of hope in that premise as well: that God is discoverable. Not hiding. And maybe it’s a gift that the practices from your past feel unattainable? Room for something fresh and new ✨
"my body remembered the Presence of God. My body saved my faith." This resonates with me too! I had a deeper connection to God than what the evangelical church had taught me and that has held through the ups and downs of the ocean's movement. I am drawn to the liturgical calendar and liturgical practices, in part, because they involve the whole body. There are colors, flowers, foods, actions, etc to do/experience that provide multiple ways for me to connect with an aspect of faith. Looking forward to my walk today. (PS. We have been "attending" GSNY since the beginning of the pandemic - a true port in the storm - excited to hear you preach tomorrow! )
I love the liturgical calendar too! It’s paradoxical but observing the changing seasons makes me feel grounded because they come back around every year.
Totally get that. And in my experience, even though we do the same things every year, every year still feels different. I'm different. The world is different. And there is always more to learn about God. So it is old and new at the same time.
I agree with you both. The liturgical calendar felt like something steady to hold to when my faith felt wobbly. Dawn, I love that you’re part of Good Shepherd’s digital community! I recorded the sermon this past Friday. Preaching to a camera is scary! Glad to know there’sa friendly face out there behind the screen 😍
You did great! And now I'm going to call Jesus a freelance rabbi.
Micha, I have enjoyed your newsletter for months now after a recommendation from a friend, but today is the first day that I felt I needed to respond. Your ideas are spot on and much needed! I had a conversation this week with a friend who unexpectedly shared her disillusionment and struggles in the church. Having just returned from a literal pilgrimage myself, I was able to share with her the language of spiritual journey and pilgrimage. A particular book that I have loved is called “Without Oars” by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. So thank you for exploring a way of being with God that includes mind, body, and spirit, and for encouraging us in new ways to experience the Really Real. God is discoverable. Thanks for this “new to me” author’s perspective. I love a new book 😁 Deep peace to you.
Like many others have expressed, your words this week spoke to me so deeply I couldn't not respond. And I am not one who takes time to engage online. But you are bringing hope and I have to let you know. The phrase, "My body saved my faith" was so meaningful. I am now emerging from a deeply dark time of struggling with post-partum anxiety that left me incapacitated and wondering why my body is doing things against my will. I didn't realize the narrative that I gleaned from my spiritual traditions said "the body must be conquered and submit to the will and the mind." How false this has been as I have had panic attacks against my will and births with so many complications! I saw that I was not in charge of my body no matter how hard I tried. But I woke up to what my body was trying to communicate and seeing its love in getting my attention. My spirituality is floundering right now in my intellect as I question many things from my youth. But I find such comfort in the liturgies (like many have commented) and in the bodies of my friends who display Jesus to me when I can't encounter him on my own. Their own physical bodies have been a part of my staying tethered spiritually. As they brought me meals, cared from my children, held my baby, texted me constantly, and told me I needed medicine and therapy. I may have died and my faith certainly would have without my body and their bodies showing up. Even my therapy of EMDR which is very physical, reset my nervous system and helped me move forward again. So now I tap my shoulders or stomp my feet or breathe deeply when my body starts to tell me things are not as they should be. And this is my spiritual practice for now.
I love the thought that the Christian life is a pilgrimage with God. So many good thoughts to ponder in this episode.
This was meaningful to me today. Often this desert journey feels dark, lonely and isolated. Thank you for being a companion.
I never comment but couldn't not today as I read your words. Thank you. You have managed to articulate beautifully different things about faith and spirituality that have been buzzing around my head, particularly as I consider if/when/how I return to church someday. Definitely something to take to my next spiritual direction session!
Oh dear, this is definitely not half baked. I’m sitting here enjoying the spirit as I sit in the sunshine and soak up all these wise words. “because I desperately want to give words to the process of Christian spirituality as pilgrimage, as an unfolding that deepens us. Feeling deepened today...