"Life is pain, Princess, anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something." is one of my favorite quotes from the film, The Princess Bride, and funny or not, it's pure truth. In one of the prayers used in Compline I am asked to pray to God to "shield the joyous" because joy is such a rare thing and yet it comes to everyone, whether we think they "deserve it" or not. What I can do, however, is try to bring it to all, even if my gifts are tiny, because, more often than not that's how God does it. Saint John of the Cross admonishes us to neither wallow in ouur misfortunes when they come or to think of our joys as rewards for our good behavior.
The MilkBone man! We’ve been greeted by him daily for years, back in the day he had only a walking stick. Freya, and Danna before him, can spot him from the opposite side of the lake. He was Freya’s first male friend, other than Willy who she loved dearly. Freya scores 4-5 Milkbones every day. And all the people smile. 😊
And, this column in itself, is one of the important reasons that I look forward to Nadia's work each week or so. A wondrous lack of preciosity and a clear vision of Grace and Faith. Thanks for all you do, and thanks to the readers who share their thoughts and concerns.
Nadia, when you say “the gospel”, do you have a good short definition for that? Also loved the answer to that first question because it is those little things that save my life on the regular. I’m always on the lookout for them.
Maybe it was something Nadia wrote, I don't remember where I read this but it was suggested to call them "glimmers" and to consciously look for them. I just like having a name for all God's little gifts all around us.
Good morning, I am a believer, yet I have found myself, wondering, asking myself, is all I have heard, been taught, is it really true? Sometimes in my failure both physically, as well as spiritually, I wonder has Father left me to wither on the vine? There is so much stuff going on every day, I at times ask, what in the hell else can happen? Nadia, is all I’ve been taught true? I cry out Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief. Thanks
Yes, thanks for the divorce comment. I regret putting my kids through it - but EVEN MORE regret staying there as long as I did. Life beyond a dysfunctional marriage can be one of peace. xo
I would after you reposted a Substack from Heather Cox Richardson really like you to post about what are your views on abortion and the transgender movement. It is important to me as a paid subscriber. If you get the opportunity to watch the Italian boxer in the Olympics who got down on her knees after 46 seconds of being in a fight with a transgender male because the first punch hurt to much.
If you missed it, it turns out the boxer is not trans (illegal in Algeria anyway) and hasn’t had any hormone treatment. Here is a good explainer about it all. (Long, because it is complicated.) https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cye0ex43k63o
"Life is pain, Princess, anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something." is one of my favorite quotes from the film, The Princess Bride, and funny or not, it's pure truth. In one of the prayers used in Compline I am asked to pray to God to "shield the joyous" because joy is such a rare thing and yet it comes to everyone, whether we think they "deserve it" or not. What I can do, however, is try to bring it to all, even if my gifts are tiny, because, more often than not that's how God does it. Saint John of the Cross admonishes us to neither wallow in ouur misfortunes when they come or to think of our joys as rewards for our good behavior.
Thanks for the comments on divorce. It really makes Jesus and the gospels even more amazing.
The MilkBone man! We’ve been greeted by him daily for years, back in the day he had only a walking stick. Freya, and Danna before him, can spot him from the opposite side of the lake. He was Freya’s first male friend, other than Willy who she loved dearly. Freya scores 4-5 Milkbones every day. And all the people smile. 😊
Thanks, Nadia. Just what I needed to hear.
And, this column in itself, is one of the important reasons that I look forward to Nadia's work each week or so. A wondrous lack of preciosity and a clear vision of Grace and Faith. Thanks for all you do, and thanks to the readers who share their thoughts and concerns.
Nadia, when you say “the gospel”, do you have a good short definition for that? Also loved the answer to that first question because it is those little things that save my life on the regular. I’m always on the lookout for them.
Maybe it was something Nadia wrote, I don't remember where I read this but it was suggested to call them "glimmers" and to consciously look for them. I just like having a name for all God's little gifts all around us.
Good morning, I am a believer, yet I have found myself, wondering, asking myself, is all I have heard, been taught, is it really true? Sometimes in my failure both physically, as well as spiritually, I wonder has Father left me to wither on the vine? There is so much stuff going on every day, I at times ask, what in the hell else can happen? Nadia, is all I’ve been taught true? I cry out Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief. Thanks
Prayers for you to feel God's love surrounding you, Robert.
Love this. Thank you!!
Yes, thanks for the divorce comment. I regret putting my kids through it - but EVEN MORE regret staying there as long as I did. Life beyond a dysfunctional marriage can be one of peace. xo
I really love this kind of post! Kind of the “best of” of the chat. Keep it up! Yaya!
Your advice is always as warming as the Sun, Nadia, and as necessary as oxygen. Take care.
Thank you! It was so good to see the questions and the wisdom in your answers.
Ha ha! I have a tattoo on my hip that got stretched out with my first pregnancy. Kinda blurry now. LOL.
Thank you so much, dear Nadia,
for posting those questions, for listening and sharing your heart.
I admire your work, insights and how human you are!
Love,
Ree ☺️🤗
Such common sense and beautiful theology ❣️
Thank you for the reader's digest version of questions and your responses. Some days, that is all I have time for.
I would after you reposted a Substack from Heather Cox Richardson really like you to post about what are your views on abortion and the transgender movement. It is important to me as a paid subscriber. If you get the opportunity to watch the Italian boxer in the Olympics who got down on her knees after 46 seconds of being in a fight with a transgender male because the first punch hurt to much.
If you missed it, it turns out the boxer is not trans (illegal in Algeria anyway) and hasn’t had any hormone treatment. Here is a good explainer about it all. (Long, because it is complicated.) https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cye0ex43k63o
Thank you.