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Jordan Thomas's avatar

Nadia does not perform miracles??

Do you mind if I unpack that a little and offer some humble testimony? I grew up very secular, and basically happy until 11 years old. Then one day, my mother answered the door to some well-meaning strangers. Within 6 months, I wasn't allowed to hang out with any of my friends from school, celebrate any holidays including my own upcoming 12th birthday, and I was being told in 3 meetings a week that the world was about to end and I had to get right with God. At age 17, it was becoming increasingly clear to me that I was only attracted to men. My mother absolutely knew this on some level, but when I said it aloud, she kicked me out of the house 4 weeks before my senior year was to begin. My frustration with Christianity became an all-out contempt.

Flash forward, 20 years later, I discovered meth, and was acting out all of the shame and rage that had accumulated inside of me over the years. My death spiral of addiction lasted for about a year and a half. I was fortunate enough to be arrested and court ordered to attend CeDAR in Denver. There, after a brief meeting, my appointed chaplain gave me a copy of Pastrix. About 4 chapters in, while sitting under a GIANT 100 year old elm tree, I prayed "I can't do this alone God. Please, do your part and I will do mine." That day marked the beginning of 5+ years of sobriety and a renewed faith that sustains me daily.

I don't know if you perform miracles, but I would say you are, at the very least, walking with a force that can. Thank you.

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Shani's avatar

Wow Nadia, your sermons never fail to bring tears to my eyes because it is as if you have expressed something that I didn’t even know that I believed, and couldn’t have related in words even if I did know. I keep thinking, “how is this woman able to get into my soul ?”. Incidentally, l had one of those mustard seed necklaces when I was a child as well.

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