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.)
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.
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.
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."
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).
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.
“…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. 🩵
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.
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.
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.
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. 🙏🏽
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.)
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.
Uffff. Yes. May we keep holding onto the rope of love.
Thank you for writing this, Shannan. I feel and hear your heartbreak. Mine is breaking too. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.
It was such a wildly difficult week. So many stories. And also, my peonies poked out of the ground. ⚖️
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.
I received your love, Kim! Sending some back to you.
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.
I love you back!
Sitting with you in the heartbreak.
It always helps to hear this. 🩷
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."
Thank you for this encouragement, Jenn. 🩷
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).
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.
“…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. 🩵
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.
I hope you enjoy it!
Whew. This is a whole word for me today. Thank you. I love you & all the words from your heart 🩷
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.
This made me smile! 🩷🩷
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.
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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