Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your heart through the words you write and share with us. Thank you for honoring Rachel in your work with Evolving Faith. Thank you for your grace-filled example of honoring your boundaries. May the peace and joy of community be yours, and may you know that you are loved.
Your wondering about the expectations of the Christmas season reminded me of the line from Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...: "from now on, our troubles will be far away." What a set up for disappointments! The joy of the season is certainly mixed with loss, tricky family dynamics, loneliness, difficult memories from Christmases past, etc. It's all real, sad, and wonderful at the same time. Thank you for offering this very thought-provoking take on joy.
Best line ever: "I said. “What if I don’t feel like having myself a merry little Christmas?" It just reminds me that it's okay to not be okay. Much love and appreciation to you.
I always look forward to pondering your notes. I think for many people Christmas is the sorrows and joys of life brought together. When Judy Garland sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in the movie Meet Me in St Louis she is singing it through tears. Blessings to you and all you love.
I love what you had to say about joy. One of my dearest friends recently died. During the time I knew her, she had rheumatoid arthritis, which meant that she was in constant pain--some days worse than others--and was often confined to her apartment, which was particularly hard on her because she was an extrovert. She never pretended everything was fine and yet I think "joyful" is a word that describes her well. She had a marvelous wit and loved many things--nature, art, music, and especially people and God. Your quote from Gay about how joy "effloresces from us" describes her well. This was perfect reading as I both mourn and celebrate my friend.
Well done. And thank you. Onward...
Forced merriment makes me grumpy, too! Thanks for the nudge to embrace honesty.
You are a delightful human being, Jeff. Thank you for your words and wisdom.
Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your heart through the words you write and share with us. Thank you for honoring Rachel in your work with Evolving Faith. Thank you for your grace-filled example of honoring your boundaries. May the peace and joy of community be yours, and may you know that you are loved.
Your wondering about the expectations of the Christmas season reminded me of the line from Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...: "from now on, our troubles will be far away." What a set up for disappointments! The joy of the season is certainly mixed with loss, tricky family dynamics, loneliness, difficult memories from Christmases past, etc. It's all real, sad, and wonderful at the same time. Thank you for offering this very thought-provoking take on joy.
Best line ever: "I said. “What if I don’t feel like having myself a merry little Christmas?" It just reminds me that it's okay to not be okay. Much love and appreciation to you.
I always look forward to pondering your notes. I think for many people Christmas is the sorrows and joys of life brought together. When Judy Garland sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in the movie Meet Me in St Louis she is singing it through tears. Blessings to you and all you love.
Thank you for sharing that little detail! I have never seen that movie. (I have never seen most movies that people cite, so...)
I know it thanks to my Mom. Guess that’s why it stirs my heart. Thank you so much for replying! I really appreciate it.
Thanks for making me think!
I love what you had to say about joy. One of my dearest friends recently died. During the time I knew her, she had rheumatoid arthritis, which meant that she was in constant pain--some days worse than others--and was often confined to her apartment, which was particularly hard on her because she was an extrovert. She never pretended everything was fine and yet I think "joyful" is a word that describes her well. She had a marvelous wit and loved many things--nature, art, music, and especially people and God. Your quote from Gay about how joy "effloresces from us" describes her well. This was perfect reading as I both mourn and celebrate my friend.
This is absolutely beautiful! Thank you!!