Thank you very much for this introduction and meditation on the Darkness. I realized that since my childhood I have always liked the dark, but not of a closed room, rather the darkness outside, like from being in a room with windows, but best with no streetlights; or the darkness while camping. I think it allowed me to be alone with myself, instead of constantly managing the relationships of my family, especially my difficult but ever-present brother.
I met Casey Cep at Old First, when she came one evening to hear Christian Wiman when he gave a reading. She is an excellent writer, both economical and suggestive. Daniel
I so love your choice in music. Everything you recommend goes on my Spotify favorite list. Today's recommendation is particularly beautiful. Listening to it now. Thank you so much!
I immediately looked up the story of the Japanese farmer who, although barely making a living herself, is generously and compassionately, giving to the young people in Tokyo. They need all the encouragement they can get because of high suicide rates, broken families, stressful job market, cost of living.
I see Christ in this woman, whether she knows Him or not. I might also say I am thankful my deconstruction permits me see Christ in this woman. It has not always been so.
Several lines jumped out as I read-‘learning doesn’t happen all at once’ and ‘clarity not certainty’. I so spent my young days needing/wanting to know it all and then being embarrassed when I didn’t. This is not so much of a concern now.
And clarity not certainty! Pulling away in prayer, I want certainty and answers, but clarity of a situation is what my anxious heart needs.
Poetry also scared me a bit, but I have found Haiku as a way to ease into poetry. We had a Sunday school class where we meditated on a psalm and then wrote what spoke to us.
Really enjoyed the post Jeff. I definitely have a tendency to want to get EVERYTHING right as you described- including poetry and deep reading. So not only is what you shared powerful, but how you described your current approach to poetry really clicked with me and felt super freeing. I've also been listening to Winter Songs as I work today- beautiful balm for my tired soul today!
I read this reflection a few weeks late, but I really appreciate the interweaving of poetry and imagery (that Dali painting is haunting in the best way— I'd never seen it before). Thank you for your thoughts!
Thank you very much for this introduction and meditation on the Darkness. I realized that since my childhood I have always liked the dark, but not of a closed room, rather the darkness outside, like from being in a room with windows, but best with no streetlights; or the darkness while camping. I think it allowed me to be alone with myself, instead of constantly managing the relationships of my family, especially my difficult but ever-present brother.
I met Casey Cep at Old First, when she came one evening to hear Christian Wiman when he gave a reading. She is an excellent writer, both economical and suggestive. Daniel
I so love your choice in music. Everything you recommend goes on my Spotify favorite list. Today's recommendation is particularly beautiful. Listening to it now. Thank you so much!
You’re the third person who’s recently mentioned Wiman’s new book, and I’m feeling a nudge to see if my library has it.
I immediately looked up the story of the Japanese farmer who, although barely making a living herself, is generously and compassionately, giving to the young people in Tokyo. They need all the encouragement they can get because of high suicide rates, broken families, stressful job market, cost of living.
I see Christ in this woman, whether she knows Him or not. I might also say I am thankful my deconstruction permits me see Christ in this woman. It has not always been so.
Several lines jumped out as I read-‘learning doesn’t happen all at once’ and ‘clarity not certainty’. I so spent my young days needing/wanting to know it all and then being embarrassed when I didn’t. This is not so much of a concern now.
And clarity not certainty! Pulling away in prayer, I want certainty and answers, but clarity of a situation is what my anxious heart needs.
Poetry also scared me a bit, but I have found Haiku as a way to ease into poetry. We had a Sunday school class where we meditated on a psalm and then wrote what spoke to us.
Thanks for your writing! It is so helpful.
I’ve not had those cheese with cranberry sauce. But here in the uk we have Brie and cranberry toasties. That works very well.
Really enjoyed the post Jeff. I definitely have a tendency to want to get EVERYTHING right as you described- including poetry and deep reading. So not only is what you shared powerful, but how you described your current approach to poetry really clicked with me and felt super freeing. I've also been listening to Winter Songs as I work today- beautiful balm for my tired soul today!
Hi Jeff. I'm a week late reading this, as you can tell. You may have already heard it, but there was a fascinating interview with Zach Condon of the band Beirut about how he sought out the darkness to help heal him. https://www.npr.org/2023/12/21/1221073068/zach-condon-describes-the-dark-cold-norwegian-island-behind-beiruts-new-album
We have been listening to the album he created while staying there ever since the interview. It's great!
I've followed you for a few years. Thank you for your sharing your gift of writing, introspection, and gentle exhortation with us.
Merry Christmas!
I read this reflection a few weeks late, but I really appreciate the interweaving of poetry and imagery (that Dali painting is haunting in the best way— I'd never seen it before). Thank you for your thoughts!
No such thing as late! Thanks for reading.