I love reading this, Sarah. Loving the photos as well that we can picture where you are physically as well as mentally. Your writing is delightful and full with meaning.
This essay hit my inbox at exactly the right time. I am immersed in three months of illness. Colds, flu, persistent cough that makes restorative, uninterrupted sleep impossible. Then a back strain to boot. I felt "heard" by your words. So, thank you. Sharing times of struggle physically and spiritually has nurtured me.
Dear Marylou, I am walking that road with you. We have been sick since early November with colds, tummy bug, bronchitis that has been going for 5 weeks now and that cough that just wants to hold on for dear life...and in the midst of that an accident bringing a concussion. I was weeping and pouring out my heart to God this morning because I feel so weary of soul and overwhelmed at the state of my house and feeling unable to function well when I read Sarah's essay and I felt peace and calm cover me like a blanket. Her words were as if God was whispering that I need to slow my steps and walk slowly through this season. I'm sure my desire to rush wellness and "keep at it" has prolonged recovery as I am not seeking rest. God will use illness and pain to draw us closer to Him and help us let go of hurry and seeking how we think life should be going. I do pray that you recover quickly and can continue to feel nurtured and strengthened.
My birthday is this month and it has always effected a complicated inner narrative for me. January has an incredible stark beauty that I love but at the same time also tends to be a time of either reluctant frenzy or deep weariness that, when questioned, "what are your birthday plans?" usually causes unsolicited tears and a feeling of bewilderment to occur.
Yet again the wordless stirrings and comtemplations inside my own soul have been artfully and so exactly brought into being, and given context, form, and beauty by your words.
I’ve been thinking a good bit about the need to be quiet since I heard your interview with Jonathan Rogers on The Habit Podcast. This is a good follow-up. My kids are now older, winging their way into college, so my life is full of a different kind of busy than when they were preschoolers, but the reminder to focus on Christ and his comfort and presence is still needed. Thank you for this!
Thank you for this great food for thought! I own Wintering but haven’t read it yet, I’m glad to hear from a writer I respect that sans the acknowledgment of our identities as God’s children it’s a great read
I love that you said you recently have found your theology in poetry...I've been doing the same and it's so beautiful. Also, thank you for sharing the photos, your house and world are so lovely!
I will pray for you, Sarah! I can so relate. It can be a challenge when we feel our frailty these dark days. The winter, like the desert, certainly empties us and helps us see ourselves.
The Jesus Prayer is wonderful and reminds me of the three prayers Elizabeth Goudge mentions from Scripture in "Scent of Water":
Sarah, this was so encouraging to read. The way you started ended the piece - you said just how it is...this putting things back in order after the intensity of feasting, this carrying on in a wintery season, this reaching for the hope God provides in the gospel in the midst of it. I am a homeschool mother of four boys, and your words felt so resonant. Thank you!
Such a comforting, and most welcome, timely read which reaches deep into my soul. As someone shared on Instagram this morning, 'January always feels like a long tunnel to be endured'. January has always been a difficult month for me. It helps immensely to draw from the insight and empathy of your beautiful words and to receive strength,courage and uplifting from them. Thank you dear Sarah 🙂
Thank you! My soul needed your words. I loved Helen Rebank's book and look forward to reading her husband's works. And I am especially loving the Choral soundtrack. Truly releases tension.
I just finished Cormac McCarthy's The Road - a very hard read in winter, but "we have the fire" - the indescribable hope that lives in us. (A 2024 Close Reads book). I just wrote in my journal - late last night - due to an unspoken weariness -
Linger in the softness,
The world has too many hard edges.
And I will be lingering in His word, which brings light when we grow in weariness.
I love reading this, Sarah. Loving the photos as well that we can picture where you are physically as well as mentally. Your writing is delightful and full with meaning.
This essay hit my inbox at exactly the right time. I am immersed in three months of illness. Colds, flu, persistent cough that makes restorative, uninterrupted sleep impossible. Then a back strain to boot. I felt "heard" by your words. So, thank you. Sharing times of struggle physically and spiritually has nurtured me.
Dear Marylou, I am walking that road with you. We have been sick since early November with colds, tummy bug, bronchitis that has been going for 5 weeks now and that cough that just wants to hold on for dear life...and in the midst of that an accident bringing a concussion. I was weeping and pouring out my heart to God this morning because I feel so weary of soul and overwhelmed at the state of my house and feeling unable to function well when I read Sarah's essay and I felt peace and calm cover me like a blanket. Her words were as if God was whispering that I need to slow my steps and walk slowly through this season. I'm sure my desire to rush wellness and "keep at it" has prolonged recovery as I am not seeking rest. God will use illness and pain to draw us closer to Him and help us let go of hurry and seeking how we think life should be going. I do pray that you recover quickly and can continue to feel nurtured and strengthened.
My birthday is this month and it has always effected a complicated inner narrative for me. January has an incredible stark beauty that I love but at the same time also tends to be a time of either reluctant frenzy or deep weariness that, when questioned, "what are your birthday plans?" usually causes unsolicited tears and a feeling of bewilderment to occur.
Yet again the wordless stirrings and comtemplations inside my own soul have been artfully and so exactly brought into being, and given context, form, and beauty by your words.
Thank you.
I’ve been thinking a good bit about the need to be quiet since I heard your interview with Jonathan Rogers on The Habit Podcast. This is a good follow-up. My kids are now older, winging their way into college, so my life is full of a different kind of busy than when they were preschoolers, but the reminder to focus on Christ and his comfort and presence is still needed. Thank you for this!
I enjoyed this so much. From weariness huh. Beautiful things still flow. 🥰
This was very real and encouraging. I love the part about seeing our limitations. Thank you
Thank you for this great food for thought! I own Wintering but haven’t read it yet, I’m glad to hear from a writer I respect that sans the acknowledgment of our identities as God’s children it’s a great read
I read Wintering and loved it!
I love that you said you recently have found your theology in poetry...I've been doing the same and it's so beautiful. Also, thank you for sharing the photos, your house and world are so lovely!
I will pray for you, Sarah! I can so relate. It can be a challenge when we feel our frailty these dark days. The winter, like the desert, certainly empties us and helps us see ourselves.
The Jesus Prayer is wonderful and reminds me of the three prayers Elizabeth Goudge mentions from Scripture in "Scent of Water":
Jesus, mercy.
Thee I adore.
Into Thy hands.
The simplest and highest things to think on!
Such a beautiful reflection
Sarah, this was so encouraging to read. The way you started ended the piece - you said just how it is...this putting things back in order after the intensity of feasting, this carrying on in a wintery season, this reaching for the hope God provides in the gospel in the midst of it. I am a homeschool mother of four boys, and your words felt so resonant. Thank you!
Such a comforting, and most welcome, timely read which reaches deep into my soul. As someone shared on Instagram this morning, 'January always feels like a long tunnel to be endured'. January has always been a difficult month for me. It helps immensely to draw from the insight and empathy of your beautiful words and to receive strength,courage and uplifting from them. Thank you dear Sarah 🙂
Thank you, Sarah. God bless you.
Thank you! My soul needed your words. I loved Helen Rebank's book and look forward to reading her husband's works. And I am especially loving the Choral soundtrack. Truly releases tension.
I just finished Cormac McCarthy's The Road - a very hard read in winter, but "we have the fire" - the indescribable hope that lives in us. (A 2024 Close Reads book). I just wrote in my journal - late last night - due to an unspoken weariness -
Linger in the softness,
The world has too many hard edges.
And I will be lingering in His word, which brings light when we grow in weariness.
Blessings on you and your beautiful family!
Thanks for sharing, Sarah. I so enjoyed the Advent retreat you led in 2024.