Even though I took a break from writing on Substack, August was a very busy month for me!

• I finished writing all the chapters in my academic portfolio.

• I held a public presentation of my research, and was supported by a number of my colleagues and friends.

• I was invited to take part in the Supervisor training to become a Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor.

• I realized that where I was, is not necessarily where I’m going… at least regarding Substack… and that shifts are welcome.

Where I Started

When I began writing, I wanted to create a space where questions were welcomed, answers weren’t required, and tension was normal. I hope I did that over the past two years, and I know at times I didn’t but I’m okay with that.

Perhaps this shift is a result of finishing my D.Min., and wanting to share my findings. I know my findings will create tension. I also know my findings will be a source of frustration and maybe even anger for some. I’m okay with that, too. I still strongly believe it gracious tension, and I realize that it’s a posture I may not receive in return… so I’m shifting.

I’m not shifting what I write. It’s still going to focus on stories, reflections, and spiritual practices. But I've changed because of my research. And perhaps most significantly, my research has changed the things I notice. That doesn’t mean I’m going to write about my research every week, but I also want to be more intentional about wrestling with difficult topics which can create tension once in a while.

A Helpful Metaphor

I’ll be honest, this started because of a silly question I asked ChatGPT. Yes, I know not everyone likes AI, and I understand their reasoning. I enjoy using ChatGPT as a tool, to keep me organized, and to ask silly questions, like, “If I was an animal, what would I be?” (This actually started because I have a snail-mail penpal, and it’s become part of our monthly letters to each other). Here’s what ChatGPT came up with (I asked it to condense it to 2-3 sentences):

I’ve loved great blue heron’s since I was a little girl. I remember pressing my hands on the window of the car to try to get as close as possible if I saw one when we were driving by. I knew when a heron was flying over us in the sky (they have a very distinctive shape). I’d never talked about heron’s before, but ChatGPT got it right.

Why “Observing”

I chose the word “observing” intentionally. It speaks of action, and stillness at the same time. I often find myself observing things - people, places, situations - and contemplating. Observing appears quiet on the outside, but it’s filled with action on the inside. It doesn’t raise alarms, it simply… observes, reflects, and may reposition itself.

It gives me the chance to ask, “What did I notice?” As well as the opportunity to engage challenging topics.

Why “Edge”

Most of my life I’ve felt on the outside. It’s part of my personality type, which I didn’t realize until I was introduced to the Enneagram (I’m a 4). I wasn’t able to give words to my experiences before the Enneagram. I just thought I was weird or too much or not enough. There, but not there. Even if I was the focus of the group, I felt separate.

Now, I see the importance of the edge. The beauty that flourishes here, whether in nature or in my personal life. There’s still room for wonder, beauty, poetry, prayer, and practices that help us pay attention to God and ourselves. But there will also be difficult conversations. Wrestling with church harm, belonging, the impact of power, and questions about faith. You know, things that don't have tidy answers… things that sit in tension.

So, welcome to The Observing Edge. I’m glad you’re here. I hope you’ll stay.

Something To Carry With You…

1. How have you experienced shifts in your life?

2. As you reflect on a shift, how did you respond?

Around the Corner…

1. I’m creating a workshop based on my research findings called Sacred Mending(←this is a clickable link). You can find out more about it on my website, and sign up for the waiting list.

2. I’m working on some self-led studies that I hope to be posting to my website shortly as well. I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

Until next Tuesday,
Andrea

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How I was taught…

Usually, this story is about Abraham’s commitment and willingness to sacrifice for God. How we’re to show the same willingness to sacrifice. How God demands hard things of us, but provides a way out.

But as I was reflecting I thought… what a shallow reading of this passage.

Shallow!?!

I said what I said. Here’s my further reflections…

You’d think Abraham would know God better than that. Know that God, who has provided over and over, guided and directed him, would question this demand from God.

“Really God? My son? The son you provided for me? The one you said would provide as many offspring as the stars?”

Or, that he would recognize that this type of sacrifice was the request of other gods?

Nope, none of that. Just blind obedience.

Could we infer that? Sure. I’ve seen it done on TV, and I’ve heard it in sermons. The grief, the pain, the sadness, but the “conviction” to sacrifice no matter what it meant.

So I inferred from a different perspective.

Digging a Little Deeper

Whenever I’m reading a passage I ask myself - “What’s interesting?” - and this story is no different. Here’s what was interesting to me:

• There is no mention of Sarah, or her reaction to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac.

• Isaac is referred to Abraham’s “only son.” There is no mention of Isaac’s brother Ishmael.

  • Now, this can sometimes be glossed over because Isaac was his son with Sarah, and Sarah was his wife. Hogwash! Ishmael was just as much Abraham’s son as Isaac was. Their treatment, or mistreatment, of Hagar and Ishmael does not change this.

• Abraham didn’t tell the servants he took with him what he was about to do.

• Abraham didn’t tell Isaac either.

There’s a lot of deceit through withheld information in this story. This causes me to ask my second question - “What do I wonder?”

I wonder…

I wonder what the relationship between Abraham and Isaac was after this encounter. While “God provided” the ram, there are still the repercussions of what Abraham did. Trust was broken, fear was palpable.

I wonder if Sarah ever let Abraham go with Isaac alone again.

I wonder if Isaac wanted to.

To Ponder for Free Subscribers…

1. When you read this passage, what do you find interesting?

2. How did it feel to read me saying “what a shallow reading of this passage?”

3. What makes you wonder in this passage? Or in this post?

Read more

I borrowed this idea from my friend Kelly. She wrote a post about her church experience, life after leaving the church, and finished it with 10 things that are sacred to her right now that have nothing to do with religion.

Her list was beautiful… and her poetry is too!

After reading through her list, I thought… that’s really cool, I wonder what I’d come up with. So I made one of my own and I thought I’d share it with you today.

1. The call of the loon across the still lake in the early morning.

I grew up spending the summer at my grandparents trailer on small lake in Ontario. I can still hear the loons calling across the lake first thing in the morning. When I think about it, my whole body relaxes into the memory.

2. Baby killdeer because they’re basically little poufs with legs.

I mean, look at these!! They’re so cute!1

I saw killdeer all the time when I was exploring around the dairy farm as a kid. Did you know the parents will pretend their wing is broken to lure you away from their nest/babies?

3. My living room.

We just finished renovating it - new paint, new flooring, new furniture - and it is my absolute favourite room in the house.

4. That first sip of coffee in the morning.

No explanation needed, iykyk.

5. Watching compilations of kids playing T-ball (peewee hockey also counts).

Fun story: When my daughter was 3, we put her in t-ball. One of my favourite movies is “A League of their Own.” (Maybe you can see where this is going.) One night there was a little boy sitting on third base crying. My spunky, sassy 3-year-old daughter walked right up to him, put her hand on her hip, looked down down to where he was sitting, and boldly told him “There’s no crying in baseball!” Then turned on her heel, and walked to the dugout.

I think I went six shades of red, apologized profusely to his parents (who were standing a couple feet away!), mumbled something about my favourite movie, and took off after her.

6. Making Nascar noises when I’m driving... anything... car, lawnmower...

I said what I said.

7. Talking with my best friend from high school about crap that makes no sense to anyone but us.

She lives in Alberta (I don’t hold it against her), and I live in Ontario (she doesn’t hold it against me). We’ve been friends since she jumped across two aisles of school desks in grade 9 to see the tiny dots that were the Backstreet Boys on a picture I was showing off because I’d been to their concert.

What can I say? She’ll never break my heart, and our friendship is larger than life.

8. A really good discussion.

It’s even better if it’s about a topic we don’t agree on. As long as the dialogue is great, I’m as happy as a clam.

9. Befriending my emotions.

I recently befriended my anger, and that was really cool… but I still have a long way to go. I’m hoping to create some self-led studies to put on my website in the next couple months, and this is one topic I’m toying with.

10. A really good book.

Sometimes they’re so good I read them in less than 24 hours. Sometimes they’re good because it takes a couple days to finish them. Sometimes they’re historical fiction. Sometimes they’re for research. Sometimes they have vampires. Sometimes they’re about dungeon crawling. Sometimes there’s elves. I just love books.

To Ponder…

1. What ten things are sacred to you right now that have nothing to do with religion?

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Looking for a Spiritual director?

You can learn more on my website, too!

Andrea's Website

It’s so close…

• I’m actually putting the chapters together into one big document!

• I wrote the dedication!

• I have most of the acknowledgements done!

• There’s a Copyright page!

• I have 8… Yes! EIGHT!… pages for the Reference List (Bibliography)… and counting.

• If I could just stop thinking of things to add, maybe I’d be finished already!

In case you’re new here, allow me to explain.

Since May 2023, before I even cross the stage to receive my M.Div., I’ve been working on a Doctor of Ministry degree. At first I thought I was researching one thing, then circumstances changed, and somewhere during the second year I realized my project was going to be related to spiritual abuse - in my study I call it “adverse church experiences.” It’s a super light and easy topic.

I began designing a workshop incorporating spiritual formation practices I found helpful in my life. The workshop was based on an assignment from my first year.

I had to receive approval from the Research Ethics Board, which meant I had to learn all about research ethics… another super light and easy topic.

I had to adjust my project… a lot. “This is what blood sweat and tears feels like,” I thought (we’ll come back to this).

My research questions (yes, with an ‘s’ because I’m a glutton for punishment), were:

How did an adverse church experience impact God-image?

How did spiritual formation practices help re-frame God-image?

In a nutshell: How does spiritual abuse impact how we see God? How can spiritual formation practices help?

Last fall I put out the call for participants through my personal social media. Here’s what happened.

• I thought I’d have a hard time finding participants.

  • My study filled in less than 24 hours.

  • There was a waiting list.

• I thought I’d have two in-person groups.

  • I had to shift to accommodate one in-person group, and one virtual group.

• I thought I’d lose at least one participant because life events happen.

  • Everyone finished every part of the study.

Then the real blood, sweat, and tears came… data analysis. But even more than that, it was wrestling with the stories of my participants, wrestling with my own story, and befriending my anger in the midst of it all.

I lost myself, I found myself… I lost myself again… and well, it’s called a cycle for a reason.

Here’s what else I found…

• Five themes related to both questions.

• Not all themes related to God-image were negative.

• ALL themes related to how spiritual formation practices helped were positive.

• Too many articles and books to read.

• I had trouble finding material from a specifically spiritual perspective, most of what is available is from a psychological perspective.

• No matter how much I know, research, earn, cry, sweat, plead, and beg… there are some that still won’t have ears to hear.

  • That’s okay, because there are plenty of those who do.

If you’re a “I’ll pray for you” person… send prayers! I need them.

If you’re a “sending thoughts” person… I could use all the good thoughts I can get!

If you’re a “I’ll encourage you” person… please send encouragement my way.

If you’re a “leave a comment” person… I’d love to hear from you.

Leave a comment

A friendly reminder: If you click a link leading to an Amazon page, I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. It doesn’t change your experience at all, but if you decide to purchase anything through the link I’ll get a little financial boost! (Which I appreciate!)

News!

I have some really exciting opportunities coming my way in the fall, but I don’t want to say too much until I know more. If you’d like to know more about what my D.Min. research created, check out my website.

What is Sacred Mending?

Andrea's Website

Looking for a Spiritual director?

Today I’m sharing a poem I wrote the other day. But first a bit of an explanation - I’m part of a group of spiritual directors that meet (almost) monthly to learn about expressive arts. Each meeting someone shares an expressive art they’re interested in, and the rest of us create that modality over the time until our next meeting. We’ve explored all kinds of things:

• Haiku

• Mandala

• Neurographic Art

• Poetry

• Photography

• Collages

• Watercolor

• Fiber Art

• Pottery

It’s been one of the best things I’ve done for myself professionally, and more importantly, personally. Art has been a way to allow my innermost feelings come alive through the various different mediums (although some of my attempts were much better than others!).

Below, I share the poem “I Wonder…”. Maybe you’ll find it helpful, maybe you’ll find it perplexing. Either way, I hope it gives you something to contemplate.

I Wonder…

I wonder...
How can the tenderhearted ones change their world?
Is it through their kindness,
that gets trampled on?
Perhaps it's their willingness to trust.
Their boldness to be where others dare not go.
To learn what many avoid.
To engage when others shun.

I wonder...
How can the humorous ones change their world?
Is it through their silly comments,
that make others groan?
Perhaps it's through their ability to smile.
Their smart-mouth helps others laugh.
To say what is taboo.
To laugh when others cry.

I wonder...
How do the passionate ones change their world?
Is it through their outspoken voices,
that others try to silence?
Perhaps it's through their desire to make a difference.
Their unbridled existence in unwanted places.
To share what others fear.
To speak what few will say.

To Ponder…

1. Is there a word or phrase that stands out to you?

2. Spend some time pondering what it may mean for your spirit.

A friendly reminder: If you click a link leading to an Amazon page, I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. It doesn’t change your experience at all, but if you decide to purchase anything through the link I’ll get a little financial boost! (Which I appreciate!)

Launching This Fall!!

I’m almost done my D.Min.! I hope that if I keep telling myself that it will happen sooner rather than later. As a result of my research - how negative church experiences impact our interpretation of God, and how spiritual formation practice may help - I developed a six-week course called Sacred Mending. You can find out more about it on my website.

Learn About Sacred Mending

Andrea's Website

Looking for a Spiritual director?

I write in my journal almost every morning. Sometimes I like to do “timed writing.” This is a chance for me to see what’s really on my heart. It basically means setting a timer and letting the pen move across the page. There are no prompts, no requirements, and (hopefully) no thinking.

What is Timed Writing?

It’s exactly what it sounds like… setting a timer, and letting the pen move across the paper.

When you first start this spiritual practice it can be daunting, but I promise you, it’s one of the most telling practices I’ve experience that shares where my heart is at.

I’ve tried different lengths of time for writing, but I think (for me) the sweet spot is 20 minutes. It usually gives me the chance to finish up pretty easily, even if I take a few extra seconds to add my last couple of sentences.

To Ponder…

1. How does timed writing make you feel?

2. What would you write about if you tried timed writing?

An example from my journal…

I wrote this after hearing about yet another death in a year full og losses. Please note that this writing is a small glimpse into a specific moment in my life.

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Last summer, when there was a long drought in Ontario, and a similar one in my life, I found myself pondering John 1:19-281 through the spiritual practice of lectio divina.

I thought today I’d share what it’s like when I go through the process of lectio divina.

One of the first things I do when I sit down with my journal is write two words… “I come…” As in, “today I’m coming to this space feeling _________.” Then I may write a little invitation prayer, but often I don’t because the guide I work through has an Invocation prayer that I read. On this particular day I wrote Lord, guide me.

1st Reading: What word caught my attention?

This passage shares the time John the Baptist is asked by the Pharisees if he’s the Messiah. I’ve often heard it shared/taught/preached from an accusatory perspective.

The word that caught my attention was wilderness.

2nd Reading: How is my life touched by the word?

Knowing what I know now, I can certainly see why this word spoke to me. I felt like I was walking in the wilderness. I felt alone, frustrated, and I was deeply grieving the various losses in my life. Here’s what else I wrote:

I’m like the Pharisees. I keep doing the things I’m supposed to do, reading the things I’m supposed to read, and writing the papers I’m supposed to write - but I don’t know why.

I am dry - like this summer - no rain - cracked open - no corn for the harvest - dry leaves already falling - waiting - hoping.

I don’t think the leaders were accusing, I think they were hoping. They wanted John to be one of those things - Messiah, Elijah, Prophet.

3rd Reading: What is God saying to you?

Another phrase caught my attention: among you stands one whom you do not know.

Here are my reflections:

Yesterday a gentle rain fell. One that kisses the ground softly, filling in the crevices that have been created after such a long time with no rain. It doesn’t pummel the ground like a brute, but embraces it, like a long lost friend.

“What is this stuff falling from the sky?” we mockingly ask. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen it!”

I hope it can begin to work its way through the cracks. I hope the ground will return its embrace, but I know in some places it won’t matter. It’s been too long. We need more, and for longer. I know it will come, I’m just not sure when. I can only hope it will be soon.

This reminds me of the Pharisees. “Who are you?” they ask. They hope the Messiah, or the prophet, or Elijah. Yet John shares he is none of them. The Messiah stands among them, but they don’t know him.

They’re hoping John is someone amazing - that something amazing will happen because of him - and while they’re looking at John, Jesus is among them, and they’re accidentally missing him.

Are their souls dry like mine? Are they seeking the nourishment of a gentle rain? But, like me, they can’t soak it up because their attention is on what they see, the action of John baptizing in the Jordan - hoping but accidentally missing.

God is saying - Something even better is coming. Are you ready for it?

Reflecting on the Reflection

As I read this today, I can hear the grief coming through in my words. I can see how I was in a season of waiting but not understanding why I was waiting, or what I was waiting for. There was dryness in many different areas of my life that were coalescing into one big feeling of drought. Curiously, I had started the entry with words of hope, and feeling resting.

Someone once shared the phrase “Sometimes God speaks as the pen flows.”2 Clearly that is the case in this journal entry.

To ponder…

1. How does the idea that the Pharisees were hopeful sit with you?

2. What spoke to you as you read through this reflection?

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Before I even begin, I have to be upfront and honest. I can’t take credit for this spiritual practice for two reasons:

1. Kintsugi (kin-tsoo-gee) is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using a sealant mixed with precious metals like gold.

2. The idea came from a fellow spiritual director who made an off the cuff comment about how he’d like to try kintsugi with a picture.

I didn’t come up with the practice, and I didn’t come up with the idea… I liked it, so I ran with it, and today I’m going to share it with you.

I’ve wanted to share it for so long, but it just never came up. Now that I’m writing chapters for my portfolio, it seems like the time because I don’t have to reflect on anything.

Supplies

If you decide to try this, here’s a list of what you’ll need:

• A picture of yourself (I printed mine on printer paper.)

• A piece of construction paper or cardstock slightly larger than your picture.

• A glue stick (it’s less lumpy and wet.)

• Gold paint (acrylic works great and can be found at the dollar store.)

• A paintbrush that paints thin lines.

• A pen that will show up on your paper (I chose a white gel pen.)

• A journal or piece or paper.

• A pen.

Read more

The other day I was having a conversation with my friend and poet Kelly, and I asked her how she was. She commented on feeling so much better now that the seasons had changed, and how she wished she could bottle these days to sip from when things are more difficult.

Now, I’m a spiritual director, so I think a little differently, and I immediately asked, “what would that taste like?” In response, Kelly wrote me a poem and she graciously allowed me to share it with you.

Fleeting

If we could bottle summer joy,
To sip on gray days,
what would it taste like?

Would it taste like just picked strawberries,
Juice staining your fingers?

Would it taste like pool water,
Accidentally swallowed,
Burning a bit on the way down?

Would it taste how lilacs smell?
Could it contain the essence of cut grass
And evening rainstorms?

If we could bottle summer
and drink it in February
would it taste like blueberries, and watermelon, and sticky s'mores?

Or would it taste bittersweet?
Like something good that can't quite last?

To ponder…

1. If you could bottle your favourite season for days that seem to drag on, what would it smell like?

If you enjoyed this poem, I encourage you to follow Kelly’s Instagram. She offers lots of wonderful excerpts from her poems for you to read.

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Launching this Fall!

Have you experienced church harm, and

• you’re still seeking God but don’t quite know where to fit?

• you’re still seeking God, found a new church, but wrestle with previous messages?

• you’re still seeking God, but can’t be bothered with the church?

Based on my research and D.Min. project I created this six-week virtual workshop.

Find Out More

I want to join the waiting list.

As always, I appreciate your support and the love I feel from this little Substack I create.

If you know someone who may appreciate this, would you consider sharing the email with them, or sharing this post?

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If you’re not a subscriber, and stumbled across this through Substack or the sharing love of a friend, would you consider becoming a subscriber?

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Another week… Another repost. I’m really feeling the picture from today though, especially those parts where it seems like the turns are going backwards!

I’m hoping to make some time to get a new content post out next week. (Thoughts and prayers welcome!)

This week I’m sharing one of my favourite posts, The Power of Imagination from back August 2025.

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Exciting news!

This Fall I’m launching a 6-week virtual workshop where I’m bringing the content from my Doctorate to your screen. Looking of more information? You can find it at acspiritualdirection.com/sacred-mending.

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Remember when I said I needed time to get my portfolio figured out? I’m still working on it. Turns out… what I thought was my portfolio, was really just my final research paper... all 65 pages of it. The good news is - it will become a chapter in my portfolio, but I’ve learned it’s a long way off from its final form.

Throw in taxes, living room and kitchen renovations, facilitating a retreat, volunteering in a kids camp, as well as a whole host of other things classified as “life,” and you have one tired Andrea.

So, I’ll be diving back into my archives once again, and sharing some older posts over the next few weeks.

Thank you in advance for your grace, and thoughts and prayers.

This week, I’m sharing a post from July 2025 on lament, and why it’s so important for our spiritual journey.

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Launching this Fall!

Find out more here and join the waiting list here: https://www.acspiritualdirection.com/sacred-mending

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What is it like to live in the Bible?
Is it cozy? Or constricting?
A place to rest? Or one of harm?
Does it feel good? Or is it to be avoided?
Can you settle in? Or do you want to run away?

Is it...
Life-giving? Or life-draining?
Uplifting? Or oppressive?

Are you welcomed in?
Are you greeted with love?
Are you trying to control? Or are you letting yourself go?
Are you supported? Or are you dropped?

Do you have to have it all figured out?
Repeat it back verbatim?
Or can you simply be with God and you - all of you?

What is it like to dwell in the Scriptures?

Do you pause? Or do you rush through?
Is it a race to complete in a specific timeframe?
Or a gentle meandering here and there?

Who do you meet?
Who stands out?
What does that tell you about yourself?
How does that really make you feel?

Is it comfortable?
Do you feel like you can be yourself?
Do you even know who you are?

What is it like to make the word your home?

Can you drop everything at the door and enter feeling released?
Do you remember details?
Do you know where not to move in the dark?
Are you able to renovate? Or are you afraid what’s underneath?
Are you greeted by a loved one? Or do you find yourself alone?

Is the outside immaculate? But the inside is a mess?
Do you invite others in with a smile? Or do you tell them all the rules?
Do you want to show it off? Or are you content for others to explore?
Is it a stage for you to impress with? Or a cozy corner to snuggle into?

What are you like when you live in the Bible, dwell in the Scriptures, or make the word your home?

To Ponder…

What stood out to you?
What memories or feelings did it bring up?

Leave a comment

The girl sat on the rickety old swing. It was one of those metal framed patio swings, and the cushions on it were vinyl with a floral orange pattern that resembled something from the 70’s. There was a tear in one spot, and the cushion was poking through. Despite the beautiful view of the lake, she sat absentmindedly pulling petals from the daisy she was spinning in her fingers. She watched as one-by-one they fell to packed dirt below.

Each petal represented a problem. They were accumulating at a rapid rate but no matter how many petals she pulled off the daisy, it never became empty. Almost like a new petal would pop up to take the place of the one just plucked.

She sighed, and pulled another petal off. As she watched it spin down to the ground a man walked up and gently lowered himself to sit next to her. He considered the daisy in her fingers, the solemn expression on her face, and the pile of petals on the ground. He leaned into the back of the swing and began to rock it gently back and forth as he observed her for a few minutes.

“Playing ‘he-love-me-he-loves-me-not’?” he asked.

“No,” she said, shaking her head slightly.

He nodded, giving her space with her reflections.

After a few minutes she looked over at him. “No matter how many times I pull these petals off, they just keep coming back. Another one grows in its place! I can’t get ahead of them. They just keep coming.”

“Hmm,” he responded thoughtfully, “what does it remind you of?”

“It reminds me of all the things I worry about… all the problems I have. When I get one figured out, another is there waiting to take it’s place,” she said. “They just keep piling up, but never going away.”

The man leaned forward, and placed his hand over the daisy. All the petals from the ground swirled up to the daisy, reattaching themselves to the flower causing it to be bursting with petals. She marveled at the tiny flower in her hands. It was full, lush, and breathtakingly beautiful, but the stem started to bend under the weight of the petals.

“Why are you holding the flower all by yourself?” he asked her, plucking it from her fingers.

She dropped her hands between her knees. “Because I feel like I have to,” she replied. “Because someone has to.”

The man spun the flower in his fingers sending petals off in all directions, not a single one was left.

She watched as petals rained down around her, falling softly to the ground. She pondered this for a moment, as she looked out over the still water of the lake.

“What should I do?” she asked.

He was quiet for a moment, then smiled, “Just sit with me. Stay for a while... and perhaps stop attacking foliage. I don’t think it’s ever helped anyone in the past.”

He looked over at her and winked, causing her to laugh. She nodded, and leaned back against the swing enjoying the moment as he gently rocked them back and forth.

To ponder…

What did this story bring to mind?

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As I was laying in bed, I wondered… Who am I? This is what I came up with.

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I am the woman at the well
… known by Jesus, and loved despite all the “stuff” in my life.

I am the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak
… made so small by others I crouch on the ground to get close to Jesus.

I am the woman at Simon the Pharisees dinner party,
… intentionally searching for where Jesus is going to be, and entering a space I may not feel welcome in.

I am Mary Magdalene,
… trusted and called by name to carry the good news of Jesus.

I am the woman brought before Jesus unjustly,
… accused by men who seek punishment, only to be used as an example for their own wrongdoing.

I am the woman who found the coin…
… the woman who confronts the judge…
… the woman who lights the lamp.

I am Martha,
… who wants things to go well so she keeps busy.

And Mary,
… who contemplates at the feet of Jesus, a place where women weren’t often welcomed.

I am Joanna,
… who supports Jesus using my own means.

I am called by name.

I am ordained by God.

To ponder…

If you were to write a “Who am I?” reflection… who would you include and how come?

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Hi Friends!

A friendly head’s up that if you click a link leading to an Amazon page, I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. It doesn’t change your experience at all, and if you decide to purchase anything through the link I’ll get a little financial boost! (Which I appreciate!)

I’m neck deep in the process of getting ready for my Doctor of Ministry hearing, but I didn’t want to leave you with nothing from me.

So, I decided to pull from my previous posts… and yes, this one is (once again) free!

Please bear with me over the next few weeks as I adjust my schedule to take on the task of getting ready for my hearing, and potential graduation in November.

This week we’re going to go back to one of my posts from June 2025.

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Hi Friends!

A friendly head’s up that if you click a link leading to an Amazon page, I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. It doesn’t change your experience at all, and if you decide to purchase anything through the link I’ll get a little financial boost! (Which I appreciate!)

I’m neck deep in compiling the portfolio for my Doctor of Ministry hearing, but I didn’t want to leave you with nothing from me.

So, I decided to pull from my previous posts… and yes, this one is free!

Please bear with me over the next few weeks as I adjust my schedule to take on the task of getting ready for my hearing, and potential graduation in November.

This week we’re going to go back to one of my posts from March 2025, and it may well be the one that started me on the real roller coaster when it came to my D.Min. project!

Subscribe now

Leave a comment

Hi Friends!

A friendly head’s up that if you click a link leading to an Amazon page, I’m part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. It doesn’t change your experience at all, and if you decide to purchase anything through the link I’ll get a little financial boost! (Which I appreciate!)

I’m in the middle of an intensive few weeks that involves me compiling the portfolio for my Doctor of Ministry hearing, but I didn’t want to leave you with nothing from me.

“What am I going to do!?” I thought.

Then I realized, I have a lot of older posts. Perhaps I can give them a little more love by sharing them again. Some of them may be paid posts (a grad student has to eat… and pay back student loans… yuck!), but not all of them will be.

If you’re able to help out by becoming a paid subscriber it would help out me and my family as we navigate our next steps once school is over. If you’re not, that’s okay! I’m happy to have you here as a free subscriber too!

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Please bear with me over the next few weeks as I adjust my schedule to take on the task of getting ready for my hearing, and potential graduation in November.

This week we’re going to go back to one of my posts way back in October 2024.

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Leave a comment

Hi Friends!

I’m at the start of an intensive few weeks that involves me compiling the portfolio for my Doctor of Ministry hearing, but I didn’t want to leave you with nothing from me.

“What am I going to do!?” I thought.

Then I realized, I have a lot of older posts. Perhaps I can give them a little more love by sharing them again. Some of them may be paid posts (a grad student has to eat… and pay back student loans… yuck!), but not all of them will be.

Please bear with me over the next few weeks as I adjust my schedule to take on the task of getting ready for my hearing, and potential graduation in November.

This week we’re going to go back to one of my first posts, way back in May 2024.

Leave a comment

Hi Friends!

I’m about to embark on an intensive few weeks that involves me compiling the portfolio for my Doctor of Ministry hearing, but I didn’t want to leave you with nothing from me.

“What am I going to do!?” I thought.

Then I realized, I have a lot of older posts. Perhaps I can give them a little more love by sharing them again. Some of them may be paid posts (a grad student has to eat… and pay back student loans… yuck!), but not all of them will be.

Please bear with me over the next few weeks as I adjust my schedule to take on the task of getting ready for my hearing, and potential graduation in November.

This week we’re going to go back to one of my first posts, way back in March 2024.

Leave a comment

Awakening God,

Who calls us to your bosom.

Cradle me in your arms,

So that I may hear your sacred lullaby.

Singing praises as I join in.

Amen

To Ponder…

How would it feel to be cradled in the arms of God?

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The Friday Collect Series is where I share a short prayer - a Collect - and invite you into a time of contemplation.

These are prayers that I have written over time, either during my own contemplation, after a verse in Scripture captured my attention, or with a specific theme in mind.

At the end of each prayer I share a question or two for you to ponder. You may wish to think about it right away, or you may wish to reflect on it over the weekend.

Unsure what a Collect is? You can read about them here…

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