I love this. I’m seeing something new this morning. We “left” the “churches” we belonged to once, in order to hold on to the Jesus we loved. It’s hard to have people shaking their finger at you, rebuking you for rebelling and “leaving” “the church”. Even suggesting you’re a 🙏heretic, dangerous and someone to avoid at all cost.
But I’m seeing a different picture - our “leaving” was actually about staying!! Staying WITH Jesus and Love and it was “the church” doing the leaving. They left Jesus in the dust a long time ago . . . we were so confused for a while but the choice finally became clear. We couldn’t go where the church decided to go because it would mean dying to Everything we believed in. On the one hand it’s been a rough row to hoe and on the other hand the wisest decision we ever made. To STAY. With Jesus.
We still have a lot of inner “dying” that’s needed. But though it’s been lonely at times, we’ve never been alone. And it’s Love’s Presence that gives us the courage to continue to stay. 🙏 Sweet Mary. So grateful for your apostolic example and guidance.
As much as I honor how painful that must’ve been, I’m so grateful to read it again & be inspired by your faith & courage. You write beautifully, personally & bravely & the truth of what you went thru touches the heart & explains it in such emotionally personal words that you can feel yourself in your shoes going thru it.
I can feel how shattering that must’ve been & still is as you process & live a new life. I applaud you both for following your truth & appreciate you sharing & being such an open example of how to live an honest heartfelt life. You have a friend you don’t even know here, typing these words. We are connected thru her & LOVE & I am very grateful for your personal sharing - it inspires me. Know i am thrilled whenever i see “A Heart for Justice” on a post & can’t wait to read it. I am always lifted up in the way i need to be. 💖
Thank you for such kind words and affirmation. You’ve made me cry - in a good way😌 Thank you for hearing my heart and letting me know I’ve touched you. That means so much to me. And finally, thank you for being my friend Beth. 🙏♥️
“Find the place in you that already lives beyond death, and start living from there now”
Those words resonate so deeply -
When my best friend ended his life because he couldnt take the pain anymore (his words), I couldn’t live the same anymore. We shared the same birthday, shared Long Covid before it was called that & everything was backwards because he was half my age & twice as sick.
He’s still around in ways i never expected, yet am not surprised - and treasure.
Part of me is sure I need a roadmap to find that place - the other part says I already have it.
No part of me doubts that I need to start living from there now.
This resonates deeply…have walked through the death of my last relative, my closest…with it, the need to hold on, to understand, to “do” anything, was gone. Love remains and walks through the valley and is aware of the deep holiness of the transition to reality.
🌅Mary Magdalene had hardly any energy left. She had kept Jesus company through days of his torture, death, & burial. She kept vigil through a long dark night of extreme sadness — there was no ego left at all. When Jesus appeared at dawn, she recognized him because he gave her such kind reassurance, as he had always done.🌹
This is strong. Your line about love continuing after it stops “paying you back” is truly piercing; it touches the place where devotion is tested by whether it can endure the disappearance of reassurance.
I love this. I’m seeing something new this morning. We “left” the “churches” we belonged to once, in order to hold on to the Jesus we loved. It’s hard to have people shaking their finger at you, rebuking you for rebelling and “leaving” “the church”. Even suggesting you’re a 🙏heretic, dangerous and someone to avoid at all cost.
But I’m seeing a different picture - our “leaving” was actually about staying!! Staying WITH Jesus and Love and it was “the church” doing the leaving. They left Jesus in the dust a long time ago . . . we were so confused for a while but the choice finally became clear. We couldn’t go where the church decided to go because it would mean dying to Everything we believed in. On the one hand it’s been a rough row to hoe and on the other hand the wisest decision we ever made. To STAY. With Jesus.
We still have a lot of inner “dying” that’s needed. But though it’s been lonely at times, we’ve never been alone. And it’s Love’s Presence that gives us the courage to continue to stay. 🙏 Sweet Mary. So grateful for your apostolic example and guidance.
What Beth said! I am with you completely, Heart… we have walked a very similar path. Thank you!
As much as I honor how painful that must’ve been, I’m so grateful to read it again & be inspired by your faith & courage. You write beautifully, personally & bravely & the truth of what you went thru touches the heart & explains it in such emotionally personal words that you can feel yourself in your shoes going thru it.
I can feel how shattering that must’ve been & still is as you process & live a new life. I applaud you both for following your truth & appreciate you sharing & being such an open example of how to live an honest heartfelt life. You have a friend you don’t even know here, typing these words. We are connected thru her & LOVE & I am very grateful for your personal sharing - it inspires me. Know i am thrilled whenever i see “A Heart for Justice” on a post & can’t wait to read it. I am always lifted up in the way i need to be. 💖
Thank you for such kind words and affirmation. You’ve made me cry - in a good way😌 Thank you for hearing my heart and letting me know I’ve touched you. That means so much to me. And finally, thank you for being my friend Beth. 🙏♥️
Simply beautiful.
this is really excellent, thank you for sharing!
“Find the place in you that already lives beyond death, and start living from there now”
Those words resonate so deeply -
When my best friend ended his life because he couldnt take the pain anymore (his words), I couldn’t live the same anymore. We shared the same birthday, shared Long Covid before it was called that & everything was backwards because he was half my age & twice as sick.
He’s still around in ways i never expected, yet am not surprised - and treasure.
Part of me is sure I need a roadmap to find that place - the other part says I already have it.
No part of me doubts that I need to start living from there now.
I think I caught/felt a glimmer of what you are sharing. I hope so.
This sounds like surrender. Beautiful.
Thank you for this brilliant essay. Easter is truly a great love story.🌹 Mary Magdalene may have even called her Teacher “Habibi.”❤️
“Find the place in you that already lives beyond death, and start living from there now” - thank you, this will be my practise this week.
This resonates deeply…have walked through the death of my last relative, my closest…with it, the need to hold on, to understand, to “do” anything, was gone. Love remains and walks through the valley and is aware of the deep holiness of the transition to reality.
So incredibly beautiful 💗
She was So Vital ✨💕
Thank you 🙏
Wonderful!
I really love this! Thank you.
What an inspired post, though I feel with you because every bit resonates deeply with me. May God continue to bless and guide you. 🙏🏻
🌅Mary Magdalene had hardly any energy left. She had kept Jesus company through days of his torture, death, & burial. She kept vigil through a long dark night of extreme sadness — there was no ego left at all. When Jesus appeared at dawn, she recognized him because he gave her such kind reassurance, as he had always done.🌹
This is strong. Your line about love continuing after it stops “paying you back” is truly piercing; it touches the place where devotion is tested by whether it can endure the disappearance of reassurance.
I wrote about Mary Magdalene too! https://katejohnsonwrites.substack.com/p/on-easter-reclaiming-my-voice-and?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email