Jeff, I believe you are spot on. The need to matter - to have value is key in the life of every person. Recognizing that paves the road to compassion - empathy - understanding. Thank you for this outstanding piece. D
100% Thank you. I've been thinking a lot this year about how the American Evangelical subculture I grew up in would say that everyone mattered, but really it communicated a deeper message about how only certain people mattered.
Oh, Jeff, thank you for your thoughts this week. You have once again put into words the exact struggles I’m experiencing in these sorrowful days; your words take my jumbled feelings and musings and help me clarify them into comprensible thoughts and for that I’m truly grateful. In this Advent season of holding tension and acknowledging the darkness while awaiting the light, I’m torn between my love for and loyalty to my Israeli family and my utter abhorrence of what the military is doing in Gaza. Thank you for framing this in light of our need to matter. That helps so much!
Poignantly written. Encouraging to come alongside and support others who have similar perspectives, but can not express as well as you do. Thank you for your vulnerability. Marinating on this
“Love is our most precious renewable resource, but it must be cultivated. Empathy is as infinite as our imaginations allow it to be. Grace abounds, but, on the human level, only so much as we allow it to.” Powerful. I’ll be at Crosspointe on Sunday and am looking forward to hearing you.
I just watched the Crosspointe service & your message of comfort & hope spoke to my heart. In times when I feel only despair, you & Isaiah have sparked my hope again. You always speak so eloquently of love & hope. It is so comforting to hear & remember that God is in it with us. I sometimes forget that.
And thank you too for suggesting ways that we can “ prepare the way of the Lord” in our own time & place
This is really beautiful. Thank you. Thoughtful as always. I’m really intrigued by your professor; she sounds like such a wise, wise person.
Too many comments sections online show this same thing - I need to matter. Not in just an ego sense, though I think that’s what comes forth most often in a comments section squabble, but this deep, deep sense of need. I’m reminded reading this that I need to be less quick to judge this need as wrong...it’s just a need. It’s a human need. We need to matter. I’m humbled by this.
Thank you so much for this. Have you ever hear the song "You Matter to Me" from the musical Waitress? Generally I cry listening to it and though it is in a romantic moment in the musical, for me it so clearly depicts the core of pastoral care. The second verse in particular always gets me. "It's addictive the minute you let yourself think the things that I say just might matter to someone. All of this time I've been keeping my mind on the running away, but for the first time I think I'll consider the stay." Identifying the need to matter underneath so many of our instincts is so very helpful and honest. I also appreciate your acknowledgement of how hard it is to own your own needs and bless them as good!
Jeff, I believe you are spot on. The need to matter - to have value is key in the life of every person. Recognizing that paves the road to compassion - empathy - understanding. Thank you for this outstanding piece. D
This is wonderful. Thank you.
Thank you for writting, Jeff. Your perspective broadens mine - something I quite need.
100% Thank you. I've been thinking a lot this year about how the American Evangelical subculture I grew up in would say that everyone mattered, but really it communicated a deeper message about how only certain people mattered.
When the world feels heavy and dark, as it often does, your words bring light.
I'm in total agreement with what Kristin said in her comment - your prospective broadens mine.
Thank you for sharing your time and your gifts. The world and I am better for it.
Thank you. Once again, your words bring healing and hope. You are a gift, Jeff. Happy holidays to you, Tristan, and Fozzie :)
Oh, Jeff, thank you for your thoughts this week. You have once again put into words the exact struggles I’m experiencing in these sorrowful days; your words take my jumbled feelings and musings and help me clarify them into comprensible thoughts and for that I’m truly grateful. In this Advent season of holding tension and acknowledging the darkness while awaiting the light, I’m torn between my love for and loyalty to my Israeli family and my utter abhorrence of what the military is doing in Gaza. Thank you for framing this in light of our need to matter. That helps so much!
Vitally important message Jeff- thanks for your discernment
Jeff,
Poignantly written. Encouraging to come alongside and support others who have similar perspectives, but can not express as well as you do. Thank you for your vulnerability. Marinating on this
“Love is our most precious renewable resource, but it must be cultivated. Empathy is as infinite as our imaginations allow it to be. Grace abounds, but, on the human level, only so much as we allow it to.” Powerful. I’ll be at Crosspointe on Sunday and am looking forward to hearing you.
I just watched the Crosspointe service & your message of comfort & hope spoke to my heart. In times when I feel only despair, you & Isaiah have sparked my hope again. You always speak so eloquently of love & hope. It is so comforting to hear & remember that God is in it with us. I sometimes forget that.
And thank you too for suggesting ways that we can “ prepare the way of the Lord” in our own time & place
Jeff the Isaiah text has such deep meaning for me. I am glad you are sharing your experience of it.
This is really beautiful. Thank you. Thoughtful as always. I’m really intrigued by your professor; she sounds like such a wise, wise person.
Too many comments sections online show this same thing - I need to matter. Not in just an ego sense, though I think that’s what comes forth most often in a comments section squabble, but this deep, deep sense of need. I’m reminded reading this that I need to be less quick to judge this need as wrong...it’s just a need. It’s a human need. We need to matter. I’m humbled by this.
Thank you so much for this. Have you ever hear the song "You Matter to Me" from the musical Waitress? Generally I cry listening to it and though it is in a romantic moment in the musical, for me it so clearly depicts the core of pastoral care. The second verse in particular always gets me. "It's addictive the minute you let yourself think the things that I say just might matter to someone. All of this time I've been keeping my mind on the running away, but for the first time I think I'll consider the stay." Identifying the need to matter underneath so many of our instincts is so very helpful and honest. I also appreciate your acknowledgement of how hard it is to own your own needs and bless them as good!
Sir,
I am grateful that I found you on Substack. Your words bring comfort.
Thank you.
I needed to read this today...❤️