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thelinster (she/her)'s avatar

You know, I bought "Start With Hello" when it came out, mostly because I like your blog and want you to keep writing. I do that often and put those books on the shelf, knowing I'll be reminded when the time comes to read them. I'm usually not reminded by the author, but, hey - when it's time, it's time. Thank you. ❤️ (Also, if people aren't ever mad at God, I don't think they really believe in God.)

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I do the same! I buy books to support authors I love faster than I can read them. I just pulled Tricia Hersey's book The Nap Ministry about rest of the shelf after maybe two years? It's perfect timing for me and I'm loving it.

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Fiona Fox's avatar

Uffff. Yes. May we keep holding onto the rope of love.

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Ellen's avatar

Thank you for writing this, Shannan. I feel and hear your heartbreak. Mine is breaking too. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

It was such a wildly difficult week. So many stories. And also, my peonies poked out of the ground. ⚖️

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Kim's avatar

Sitting with you in the heartbreak. Each day there is more harm and without all of us extending that rope of love and honest prayers, I don’t know how we will make it. Sending love your way today.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I received your love, Kim! Sending some back to you.

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Megan Sciarrino's avatar

The part about it being okay to be mad at God vs lying to God … carrying that forward.

And, I love you, Shannan. Awkward is true. And true is real.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I love you back!

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Shelley Ross's avatar

Sitting with you in the heartbreak.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

It always helps to hear this. 🩷

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Jenn in GA's avatar

As I struggle with heartbreak and heartburn and wonder what little if anything I might be able to do to affect anyone, being reminded of who God really is and that walking with people is what he/she does with us is consolation amidst the desolation of every day. Thank you for the thought you put into these essays, Shannan. You are, like Nehemiah, doing important work. Don't allow the Sanballats and their ilk entice you to "come down from the wall."

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Shannan Martin's avatar

Thank you for this encouragement, Jenn. 🩷

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Dana Rhyne's avatar

It has definitely been ROUGH. I don't have the direct contact with suffering folks that you do (I work in an office in City Hall, but with employees, not the public), but reading any headline today will do it. Every day it feels like I'm sinking deeper into the earth. Maybe I should start reading Kaitin Curtice about how sinking into the earth isn't necessarily a bad thing (at least it seems like that's what she would tell me).

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Elizabeth Anderson's avatar

Hey, this is a timely reminder to me that I've been wanting to read more Kaitlin Curtice too. The overwhelm is massive and I don't want to minimize the heaviness but also, this year when I got the sign of the cross in ashes on my forehead and was reminded that I am dust, I felt it as a great solace and a promise. A promise to be grounded in the earth and rooted in love. I hope you can find some peace and strength in the earth...to uphold some of the awful heaviness of it all.

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Paula's avatar

“…with a rope woven entirely of love…” love you love being here love all your writing… and the time to buy plenty of Start with Hello…to share in a time when we need lots of hello’s in every neighborhood/community …we will all be grasping the rope to help one another. 🩵

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Sandy Elaine Savoie's avatar

I’m happy there are people like you and Cory that take daily interest in the people you are in contact with. I know it’s hard to help them but you try. For this I am grateful. I just ordered your third book and looking forward to it.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

I hope you enjoy it!

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Beck Grassano's avatar

Whew. This is a whole word for me today. Thank you. I love you & all the words from your heart 🩷

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Brittany Sobering's avatar

Ordering a couple copies of Start with Hello for my little free library (I've already read it on Kindle but this reminded me to get it into the neighborhood!). Also, I love Fr. Boyle and have actually looked for him on Substack (didn't find him here). Would love to hear more from his voice during this season. Hang in there, Shannan, and thank you as always for your honest words.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

This made me smile! 🩷🩷

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Ann's avatar

I had all but abandoned any kind of “faith” (except in nature’s beauty and baby giggles). But I’ve felt drawn to God/Jesus more and more lately. My God is the one we want not the one we fear (Gregory Boyle💙) and I am so angry with him/her right now. Somehow that anger is comforting??? Thank you for your honesty. Sending love your way.

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Stephanie's avatar

Sending a hug across the miles to those bleeding hearts of yours & Cory’s. 💌 Our world is such a mess, and love really is the only way to deal… I’m a nurse here working with mostly women: patients who face

harrowing choices on the daily, women whose heartbreak is palpable. Your post really hits. There is no energy left for platitudes—we MUST be honest and vulnerable. “Here we are, all God’s people, struggling in different ways at different times, taking turns pulling each other out of the pit with a rope woven entirely of love.” 🪢 That, my friend, is bread for the journey. As always, Thank You. 🙏🏽

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Miranda Worsley's avatar

❤️

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Jess's avatar

❤️

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