Dear Aundi, I am so delighted you're now on Substack. It's an honor (and so easy!) to share your work with those in my world. Your gentle, healing words are needed more than ever. Thank you for your kind and wise ministry.
I love your writing, Aundi, especially the call to grief as a sacred invitation. It's like a breath of fresh air. I actually just joined Mirabai Starr's Holy Lament community and this essay resonates.
I love that, Jenn! Thank you for the encouragement. Yes, I'm always amazed at the layers behind the invitation of grief; such necessary work. Thanks for saying hi :)
In just a few hours I have heard or seen the words grief and sacred (or grief and holy) tied together three times. First in an online support group for parents who have lost children. Second in a special podcast from Dr. Lee Warren released on Monday because of the flooding and loss of life in Texas. Third—right here. Thank you for using language that makes this truth accessible!
Oof. Nouwen should come with a trigger warning. (I joke. Sorta.)
I too just made my second Substack post after finding every excuse not to. Somewhere I read that writers want everyone in the world to read them, except for anyone they know. The post concerned my forthcoming memoir, which I now realize is a kind of prayer steeped in grief. Once, I was a teen virgin evangelical facing an AIDS diagnosis, without insurance, surrounded by evangelicals screaming about the "gay plague." (It's a comedy, obviously.) That was hard. But harder was my invisibility to my parents. I haven't decided if I'm gonna tell my mom this book exists.
'You understand, O Lord; remember me and care for me.'
Thank you for your comforting words of truth. So beautifully put it encourages me to keep holding this life lightly. We are travelers in this world, awaiting the most glorious of cities to come.
These words are full of peace, freedom, and empathetic love. Thank you for sharing them! I love that quote by Henri Nouwen. I have used it often in my own work and in my books as well.
Dear Aundi,
Thank you so much for reminding me of this truth.
My spiritual life has become unrecognisable in the ongoing aftermath of Steve's absence.
May all beings know peace....
I appreciate the breath prayer.
Take care,
Casey
It's my honor to remind you, Casey. Sending you so much love as you continue. 💛
Dear Aundi, I am so delighted you're now on Substack. It's an honor (and so easy!) to share your work with those in my world. Your gentle, healing words are needed more than ever. Thank you for your kind and wise ministry.
Wholeheartedly receiving your words, Linda. Thank you.
Beautiful, as always. 🤍
Thank you! 💛💛💛
I love your writing, Aundi, especially the call to grief as a sacred invitation. It's like a breath of fresh air. I actually just joined Mirabai Starr's Holy Lament community and this essay resonates.
I love that, Jenn! Thank you for the encouragement. Yes, I'm always amazed at the layers behind the invitation of grief; such necessary work. Thanks for saying hi :)
Thanks for sharing. Your work is very inspiring and very much appreciated!
I'm honored by your words--thank you!
Thank you so very much for these words. I needed the beauty and grace of them.
I'm grateful to hear they resonated, Valerie!
Exactly the words needed!!!
Thank you for crafting them for all of us
It's my pleasure, Darlene. Thanks for the encouragement.
It’s wonderful to find you on this platform and share your healing words. Our world needs the salve of Jesus.
Thanks so much, Tammy. Glad you're here.
I’d really want to encourage you to read my piece on grief as well;
https://open.substack.com/pub/samridhiarora/p/the-cracked-vessel?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thank you ❤️
It's a beautiful piece. Sending you love today.
In just a few hours I have heard or seen the words grief and sacred (or grief and holy) tied together three times. First in an online support group for parents who have lost children. Second in a special podcast from Dr. Lee Warren released on Monday because of the flooding and loss of life in Texas. Third—right here. Thank you for using language that makes this truth accessible!
Sacred echoes….
I’m so glad you are on Substack!
Sacred echoes. Amen. Thanks for the kind words, Sandy.
Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing!
You're so welcome--thank you for reading!
Thank you for this. My hearts are with all of these families and survivors.
Absolutely. What a heartbreaking experience.
Oof. Nouwen should come with a trigger warning. (I joke. Sorta.)
I too just made my second Substack post after finding every excuse not to. Somewhere I read that writers want everyone in the world to read them, except for anyone they know. The post concerned my forthcoming memoir, which I now realize is a kind of prayer steeped in grief. Once, I was a teen virgin evangelical facing an AIDS diagnosis, without insurance, surrounded by evangelicals screaming about the "gay plague." (It's a comedy, obviously.) That was hard. But harder was my invisibility to my parents. I haven't decided if I'm gonna tell my mom this book exists.
Thanks for sharing your experience and being here, Bob. Also, yes, to Nouwen :) He gets right to it.
Dearest Aundi,
Several times a day I recite Jeremiah 15:15.
'You understand, O Lord; remember me and care for me.'
Thank you for your comforting words of truth. So beautifully put it encourages me to keep holding this life lightly. We are travelers in this world, awaiting the most glorious of cities to come.
Take good care,
Dianna
What a beautiful verse. Thank you for sharing and being here, Dianna!
These words are full of peace, freedom, and empathetic love. Thank you for sharing them! I love that quote by Henri Nouwen. I have used it often in my own work and in my books as well.
You're so welcome, Tricia. Yes, it truly is a stunning quote that says so much with so few words.
Beautifully written ❤️
Thanks, so much Anna!