“….but the comfort of people showing up meant everything. A word, a touch. A cleaned kitchen. Warm cookies and cold beer and hot pizza. Shared tears. A wordless walk along a leaf-strewn path.” Absolutely ❤️
I had lunch with a friend yesterday. It had been difficult to find a time that worked for both of us and we ended up picking a date two weeks out - yesterday. I arrived a little early and tried to apply some calculus of where to sit that would allow us good conversation. We often talk theology and church (the broad church), and how we as Christians should show up in the world. As we were talking yesterday, a family came in, taking a booth behind my friend. I thought we were speaking softly, but when that family got up to leave, the young woman of the couple stepped to our table. She began by saying she couldn't help but overhear our conversation and asked if she could sit down. Over the next 15 minutes, she shared all the troubles and complexities of her life. To distill it down, she was feeling hopeless and desperate to find something akin to hope. It was overwhelming and I felt inadequate to offer her anything helpful. I have been reeling since that conversation. There were many "coincidences" that led to that moment. In spite of our stumbling manner of trying to offer her some solace, the most obvious thing was that she could no longer carry of all she is working through by herself - it was too heavy to carry along. I embrace that God is with us through whatever troubles we face. And, it is becoming increasingly clear that God works through us bumbling, incompetent humans to "one another" with folks in need.
Powerful. I'm just reading Rabbi Sharon Brous's new book THE AMEN EFFECT, and she talks so beautifully about the power of community and showing up for each other in these times that are so often very isolating for many. Your story reminds me of her work.
Becca, so sorry you had to go through this period of waiting for news that could go either way for your future. I have experienced that before, and it was so unsettling.
You are not alone, for sure. Whether you say that knowing your have a support team through family and friends, or because you, deep down, have faith in the promises in the Bible, is not clear. Maybe it's not clear to you either. I do know that I find comfort in both and that sometimes God's comfort come from within and sometimed through others and nature.
Very glad your prognosis is so good and that you feel like maybe this happened as part of your Treehouse endeavor.
“….but the comfort of people showing up meant everything. A word, a touch. A cleaned kitchen. Warm cookies and cold beer and hot pizza. Shared tears. A wordless walk along a leaf-strewn path.” Absolutely ❤️
I had lunch with a friend yesterday. It had been difficult to find a time that worked for both of us and we ended up picking a date two weeks out - yesterday. I arrived a little early and tried to apply some calculus of where to sit that would allow us good conversation. We often talk theology and church (the broad church), and how we as Christians should show up in the world. As we were talking yesterday, a family came in, taking a booth behind my friend. I thought we were speaking softly, but when that family got up to leave, the young woman of the couple stepped to our table. She began by saying she couldn't help but overhear our conversation and asked if she could sit down. Over the next 15 minutes, she shared all the troubles and complexities of her life. To distill it down, she was feeling hopeless and desperate to find something akin to hope. It was overwhelming and I felt inadequate to offer her anything helpful. I have been reeling since that conversation. There were many "coincidences" that led to that moment. In spite of our stumbling manner of trying to offer her some solace, the most obvious thing was that she could no longer carry of all she is working through by herself - it was too heavy to carry along. I embrace that God is with us through whatever troubles we face. And, it is becoming increasingly clear that God works through us bumbling, incompetent humans to "one another" with folks in need.
Powerful. I'm just reading Rabbi Sharon Brous's new book THE AMEN EFFECT, and she talks so beautifully about the power of community and showing up for each other in these times that are so often very isolating for many. Your story reminds me of her work.
in the Zen tradition the question is What is it? -- again and again with everything you meet -- What is it? and Not knowing is most intimate. 💙🙏💕
I love this.
This is wonderful. Reminds of Kate Braestrup’s great book Here If You Need Me. If you haven’t read it, you would love it, Rebecca
Thank you! It's officially on my list!
Becca, so sorry you had to go through this period of waiting for news that could go either way for your future. I have experienced that before, and it was so unsettling.
You are not alone, for sure. Whether you say that knowing your have a support team through family and friends, or because you, deep down, have faith in the promises in the Bible, is not clear. Maybe it's not clear to you either. I do know that I find comfort in both and that sometimes God's comfort come from within and sometimed through others and nature.
Very glad your prognosis is so good and that you feel like maybe this happened as part of your Treehouse endeavor.