31 Comments

Thank you for this Nadia. Yesterday i officiated at the memorial service for a member of the congregation I serve in this rural small town, a man who touched many, many lives. His trans daughter stood bravely up to offer a musical tribute to her father. I reflected this morning about what a privilege it is to walk with folks through all these life changes and to proclaim God’s love at every step of the way. God bless you.

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Nadia, I love the concept of God’s heart right behind my own so that I allow God’s love to come through me rather than the risk of drying up my own. It’s such a simple concept yet it’s so complex. Thank-you Ruth Harrigan

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Although a blessing for a pastor, it is a blessing for us all, for all who dare to care

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Thank you, Nadia. Your thoughts and words are appreciated and very much needed.

I am a RN who works in the community with dementia sufferers and have learned how to help each of them navigate this very difficult time in their lives. I say a little prayer before each encounter and follow it with, "Let go. Let God." As I reflect on your words, it reminds me to pray these words on behalf of myself. Thank you. You rock!

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Thank-you, Pastor Nadia. I have recently retired from 37 years in mental health crisis intervention. I worked those years first as a volunteer, then as a paid staff person on a crisis phone line. It was an indescribable privilege. I believe my profession in some ways was not unlike aspects of your role as a shepherd caring for your people - coming alongside them in their uncertainty, numbness, hopelessness, anger and despair. Now, I find I am decompressing and may likely be experiencing secondary PTSD from the many traumatic stories and tears I have taken in. It has been a strange nine months, surreal really, since retirement. Your blessing, it's imagery of God's heart behind mine on which my heart can lean into was something I saw and I felt as you spoke. I needed your benediction, I needed the permission I couldn't give myself to give the traumas I have born to the one who can take them from me. I have a journey of healing ahead, I know. Your prayer for me and others like me is a beginning.

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Me, i am a steel headed shipyard pounder, but, I pass this fine blessing on to my wife, Karen, a head start family advocate, 30 years in and had just about enuf. Thank you.

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Thank her for this work. so vital.

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Beautiful. Thank you.

I found I could make people feel better simply by listening to them without judgment.

I did not take their sorrows upon myself, I earthed them. I let them pass through me and drain away.

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this is stunning.

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Thank you dear sibling in Christ. What a gift this is. What a joy to see you this past week. I thank God for the way your light shines in the world.

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Nadia, the picture of gods heart behind mine is giving me the faith to love knowing god is loving through me!!! Blessings to you for your heart of love!

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lordy, lordy. Tears in my eyes… Amen.

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Nadia - this blessing is absolutely beautiful. As someone who has been a nurse for years and now works as a mental health nurse practitioner, this brought me to tears. It also brought such comfort as I strive to be a source of light and love to those in my care. Amen.

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Thank you! I needed this beautiful blessing!

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I so needed this blessing today and May this circle back to hold you , …oh beautiful pastor . Thank you Nadia

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Beautiful blessing!

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Beautiful blessing!

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