I was meditating on this subject all morning and then I read this entry. A human being instead of a human doing. God doesn’t need my help with anything! Hearts and a hug coming your way. Thank you!
Thanks. Funny,, the beginning of my recovering as an ACOA was similar--I went to talk with the chaplain of a ten-day training event I was at because I was feeling overwhelmed by all my fellow participants who, I thought, needed something from me. He said, "Not even Jesus healed everybody, you know. And HE had the power." And he told me I could stop, and I was loved anyway. Good stuff here. Still trying to live it. . . .
AND now I'm crying, too. Thank you for this, Nadia. "My God is crazy about me" is going to follow me around, like my very old, insistent, adoring cat. Like one of my kids when they were toddlers and I would try not to sit down because as soon as I did one of them would climb up on my lap. There's God, just waiting for me to sit down for a minute, stop doing so frantically, so She can climb up and tell me how crazy about me She is, how much she just wants to be close to me. Put Her sticky hand on my cheek, and pull me close to whisper in my ear, "I LOVE YOU."
Nadia-simply, thank you...I guess in a sense I’m at a kind of a complicated but confused state of spiritual growth and your story of 48 hour retreat and the baptism of the Lord brought tears to my eyes and a smile of relief...hopefully, I will remember each graced moment of my life.
Your piece reminded me of my experiences in Quaker Meetings. Within five minutes of sitting quietly, waiting on God, waiting for God, He showed up in the rivers that spilled out of my eyes. Interestingly, as I walked the streets of Philadelphia yesterday afternoon, my friend and I stumbled upon the large Meeting House on Arch Street...and I was again reminded of those two very holy experiences, and how it might be time to visit another Meeting.
I love my solo time in nature with God, but being in room with other believers in silence, who are also seeking, has proven wildly powerful for me. Thank you, once again, for sharing your heart, Nadia.
Yup! He loved me as a clueless 10 year old who sensed the Spirit and got baptized because a friend took me to church. But he loved me and knew me before I was even baptized. For years I searched for his will for me. Now, I like to sit and read and listen. I like to hear him say, “you never had to do anything, I’ve loved you warts and all from the start.” I like to hear him say, “I’m glad you’re here. Come sit in my lap for awhile. “
Your ability to pull out unexcavated themes in well-known passages is truly a gift and it’s so helpful for me to read your takes. Thanks for your work. I look forward to it every week.
“A love that is quite apart from what you do or don’t do.” That has to be one of the most profound sentences ever written. Thank you for a morning thought that will stay with me for a long time.
Positively beautiful. My favorite cousin forwarded it (she knows I don't always get to my email and wouldn't intentionally skip this one). Thank you, Nadia.
Same. I'll never forget how, 15 years ago at my ordination, there was a row of old-timers in the back. They usually stick to church basements, but that day, they were there for me upstairs.
That’s so beautiful! Spontaneous tears at that image... and the old-timers I see in my mind as I imagine your experience are the familiar faces that live in my memory. I love that. ❤️
The thought that God is crazy about me no matter what I produce or contribute gives me immense peace.....and makes me cringe and squirm like my clothes are all too tight. Why does this idea (that is exactly what I need) make me so uncomfortable? My head believes it's possible, but my heart isn't convinced. Gonna sit with that for a bit. Thank you, Nadia.
I was meditating on this subject all morning and then I read this entry. A human being instead of a human doing. God doesn’t need my help with anything! Hearts and a hug coming your way. Thank you!
“A human being instead of a human doing.” This made me cry. ❤️
Thanks. Funny,, the beginning of my recovering as an ACOA was similar--I went to talk with the chaplain of a ten-day training event I was at because I was feeling overwhelmed by all my fellow participants who, I thought, needed something from me. He said, "Not even Jesus healed everybody, you know. And HE had the power." And he told me I could stop, and I was loved anyway. Good stuff here. Still trying to live it. . . .
Damn. I'm an ACOA, and I need to have that tattooed on a prominent part of my person.
Good idea--maybe my forehead so when I look in the mirror I can read it. "Recovering" instead of "recovered" for sure.
A craftsman pulled a reed from the reedbed,
cut holes in it, and called it a human being.
Since then, it's been wailing a tender agony
of parting, never mentioning the skill
that gave it life as a flute
Rumi Jalalu'l-Din
I came across this poem yesterday and your reading today. Thank you Nadia for continually reminding me of the nature of Divine love.
Amen.
Just give me the love. Everything else is too damn heavy right now.
I love ya, pastor.
AND now I'm crying, too. Thank you for this, Nadia. "My God is crazy about me" is going to follow me around, like my very old, insistent, adoring cat. Like one of my kids when they were toddlers and I would try not to sit down because as soon as I did one of them would climb up on my lap. There's God, just waiting for me to sit down for a minute, stop doing so frantically, so She can climb up and tell me how crazy about me She is, how much she just wants to be close to me. Put Her sticky hand on my cheek, and pull me close to whisper in my ear, "I LOVE YOU."
Nadia-simply, thank you...I guess in a sense I’m at a kind of a complicated but confused state of spiritual growth and your story of 48 hour retreat and the baptism of the Lord brought tears to my eyes and a smile of relief...hopefully, I will remember each graced moment of my life.
Peace and💜bob kantner
Your piece reminded me of my experiences in Quaker Meetings. Within five minutes of sitting quietly, waiting on God, waiting for God, He showed up in the rivers that spilled out of my eyes. Interestingly, as I walked the streets of Philadelphia yesterday afternoon, my friend and I stumbled upon the large Meeting House on Arch Street...and I was again reminded of those two very holy experiences, and how it might be time to visit another Meeting.
I love my solo time in nature with God, but being in room with other believers in silence, who are also seeking, has proven wildly powerful for me. Thank you, once again, for sharing your heart, Nadia.
Yup! He loved me as a clueless 10 year old who sensed the Spirit and got baptized because a friend took me to church. But he loved me and knew me before I was even baptized. For years I searched for his will for me. Now, I like to sit and read and listen. I like to hear him say, “you never had to do anything, I’ve loved you warts and all from the start.” I like to hear him say, “I’m glad you’re here. Come sit in my lap for awhile. “
Wow; mine just told me something almost identical. It's as if we're all one.
Love this...just being is enough....we are born in love and are love
Your ability to pull out unexcavated themes in well-known passages is truly a gift and it’s so helpful for me to read your takes. Thanks for your work. I look forward to it every week.
“A love that is quite apart from what you do or don’t do.” That has to be one of the most profound sentences ever written. Thank you for a morning thought that will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you! I needed to read this today, very much. I am enough and I am loved. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Positively beautiful. My favorite cousin forwarded it (she knows I don't always get to my email and wouldn't intentionally skip this one). Thank you, Nadia.
Love those old-timers!
Same. I'll never forget how, 15 years ago at my ordination, there was a row of old-timers in the back. They usually stick to church basements, but that day, they were there for me upstairs.
That’s so beautiful! Spontaneous tears at that image... and the old-timers I see in my mind as I imagine your experience are the familiar faces that live in my memory. I love that. ❤️
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! So many truths here1
The thought that God is crazy about me no matter what I produce or contribute gives me immense peace.....and makes me cringe and squirm like my clothes are all too tight. Why does this idea (that is exactly what I need) make me so uncomfortable? My head believes it's possible, but my heart isn't convinced. Gonna sit with that for a bit. Thank you, Nadia.
Yep, I read it and instantly thought ‘nope! Not me!’ Even though I don’t think Nadia is wrong....