So beautiful and so true. Like you, I have found myself in a period of fear, anxiety and uneasiness. I, too, am returning to therapy to find ways to help ease this. Sending you lots of love and prayers, my dear friend.
Sarah, thank you for your trust in us as readers, to share in such an open, vulnerable way what is happening in your inner life, along with the practical joy of the 'outer' life with children. I have said again and again, to those who almost pity me for having to raise a grandchild, that Iris has been a blessing. She has ignited anew my curiosity and wonder. I cannot thank God enough for that. This month has seen difficult health/brain emergencies for our adult son. He is now home from hospital and living with us and through this, God has reminded me forcibly to Trust and Obey. I had forgotten. Wonder and Trust - such beauty but also such difficulty in that for us as flawed, anxious humans. Grounding myself in Miss Iris and her needs is, as you describe it, a simple way back to that. Blessings and prayers, Cate
A beautiful, authentic essay. I too see the world as a dangerous place, and it also colors my view of God and whether or not I can trust. I want that innocence as well.
Beautiful. Thank you for being open about your illness. Interestingly, I was writing to a friend at the beginning of the week similar thoughts on the need to become as a child:
"God 'prunes' us in many ways through all the things that occur during our lifetimes. I am convinced that all of our trials/difficulties/struggles – whatever you choose to call them – are indeed designed to strengthen our faith and give us the ability to assist those who are going through struggles similar to ours. Not only does He grow us but, more importantly, He slowly strips away our dependence on worldly things, bringing us closer and closer to Him with each difficulty, that our faith might be more pure and that we might be more like Christ, drawing us more near to becoming ever more like 'little children' so that we are made ready for our entrance into eternity: to 'fit us for heaven, to live with [Him] there.'"
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4 (KJV)
Thank you, that was such a help to me, in considering that I must not only continually lay down my fear, but also continually strive to hold onto its opposite, trust. That fear cannot be kept as a back pocket assurance. I understand exactly what you mean, have struggled with that often. My fear does not keep my family safe, God does. Love and prayers for you, Sarah.
My oldest is eleven, and is slowly learning that the wider world is not the same as our dear little home. She is struggling as she discovers this - that people would lie and be cruel.
I am sad for her, but I am also witnessing this in wonder. I cannot remember my time of innocence - I wasn't raised in a home that was a stay against the world. And in watching her come to the grips with the world as it is, some of my own cynicism - which has been with me as long as I can remember - leaves me. Perhaps innocence is contagious.
Thank you Sarah for sharing these beautiful words. I will need to come back and read it a second time after I've pondered these truths. I relate to the worldview of fear or through fear. It is something I've sought God earnestly on for many years. Your writing is always so thought provoking and stirs my soul!
Thank you so much for this Sarah. I’ve been seeing very clearly lately how the political polarity in the US right now is simply fueled, at its heart, by fear. It gives me great compassion for people who might vote differently than I will, and also is reminding me to pray mightily for my neighbors and countrymen, that we will have the innocent faith to trust God with our “history in the making“ as each day truly is, whether it feels momentous or not.
What a beautiful essay, I had never connected my fear with innocence before but of course it is true. When I came to Christ at age 19, and I began to trust in Him completely is when my fears fell away. I became more open and able to trust everything. Of course, now at age 74 I have been hurt by that openness by people who have hurt me, but I have to say that even with the deepest pain, my God has always been there to catch me, just like the fallen sparrow who does not fall into nothingness, but into the mighty hands of our God! He has shown Himself trustworthy of my faith/trust every time. Your children are blessed to have you as their mother!
Sarah, these words are some of the most moving you’ve ever written. And that’s saying something, as everything you write I feel so deeply. While my oldest is now 20 and my youngest is 11, with two more in between, the picture you paint mirrors my own from not so long ago. When my OCD swung out of control just after our second child was born and my fear was such a struggle - but the quest to find the trust and hold on… Just know that these words were a comfort to my soul. A reassurance. I am grateful for the way you can articulate my own heart.
Lovely. I’m also learning to gain back my innocence. And it’s through nature that I’m learning it. Being in nature, learning about the natural world, seeing the world through my children’s eyes. It’s beautiful. The Love of the Lord is truly miraculous because it heals all things.
So beautiful and so true. Like you, I have found myself in a period of fear, anxiety and uneasiness. I, too, am returning to therapy to find ways to help ease this. Sending you lots of love and prayers, my dear friend.
Sarah, thank you for your trust in us as readers, to share in such an open, vulnerable way what is happening in your inner life, along with the practical joy of the 'outer' life with children. I have said again and again, to those who almost pity me for having to raise a grandchild, that Iris has been a blessing. She has ignited anew my curiosity and wonder. I cannot thank God enough for that. This month has seen difficult health/brain emergencies for our adult son. He is now home from hospital and living with us and through this, God has reminded me forcibly to Trust and Obey. I had forgotten. Wonder and Trust - such beauty but also such difficulty in that for us as flawed, anxious humans. Grounding myself in Miss Iris and her needs is, as you describe it, a simple way back to that. Blessings and prayers, Cate
A beautiful, authentic essay. I too see the world as a dangerous place, and it also colors my view of God and whether or not I can trust. I want that innocence as well.
Beautiful. Thank you for being open about your illness. Interestingly, I was writing to a friend at the beginning of the week similar thoughts on the need to become as a child:
"God 'prunes' us in many ways through all the things that occur during our lifetimes. I am convinced that all of our trials/difficulties/struggles – whatever you choose to call them – are indeed designed to strengthen our faith and give us the ability to assist those who are going through struggles similar to ours. Not only does He grow us but, more importantly, He slowly strips away our dependence on worldly things, bringing us closer and closer to Him with each difficulty, that our faith might be more pure and that we might be more like Christ, drawing us more near to becoming ever more like 'little children' so that we are made ready for our entrance into eternity: to 'fit us for heaven, to live with [Him] there.'"
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4 (KJV)
In everything God is always only good. REJOICING!
Such precious sharings here - authentic and vulnerable, like children trusting. Thank you Sarah for sharing in these ways. Cheryl
Yes to all of this. ❤️ Sending love and prayers your way.
Thank you, that was such a help to me, in considering that I must not only continually lay down my fear, but also continually strive to hold onto its opposite, trust. That fear cannot be kept as a back pocket assurance. I understand exactly what you mean, have struggled with that often. My fear does not keep my family safe, God does. Love and prayers for you, Sarah.
I have also been thinking about innocence lately.
My oldest is eleven, and is slowly learning that the wider world is not the same as our dear little home. She is struggling as she discovers this - that people would lie and be cruel.
I am sad for her, but I am also witnessing this in wonder. I cannot remember my time of innocence - I wasn't raised in a home that was a stay against the world. And in watching her come to the grips with the world as it is, some of my own cynicism - which has been with me as long as I can remember - leaves me. Perhaps innocence is contagious.
This is going to be walking with me for awhile, Sarah. Thank you for these words.
Thank you Sarah. I also struggle with the same illness and have a small child. God has used your post to minister to me today.
Thank you Sarah for sharing these beautiful words. I will need to come back and read it a second time after I've pondered these truths. I relate to the worldview of fear or through fear. It is something I've sought God earnestly on for many years. Your writing is always so thought provoking and stirs my soul!
Thank you so much for this Sarah. I’ve been seeing very clearly lately how the political polarity in the US right now is simply fueled, at its heart, by fear. It gives me great compassion for people who might vote differently than I will, and also is reminding me to pray mightily for my neighbors and countrymen, that we will have the innocent faith to trust God with our “history in the making“ as each day truly is, whether it feels momentous or not.
What a beautiful essay, I had never connected my fear with innocence before but of course it is true. When I came to Christ at age 19, and I began to trust in Him completely is when my fears fell away. I became more open and able to trust everything. Of course, now at age 74 I have been hurt by that openness by people who have hurt me, but I have to say that even with the deepest pain, my God has always been there to catch me, just like the fallen sparrow who does not fall into nothingness, but into the mighty hands of our God! He has shown Himself trustworthy of my faith/trust every time. Your children are blessed to have you as their mother!
This was such a blessing to me this morning. Thank you Sarah!
Sarah, these words are some of the most moving you’ve ever written. And that’s saying something, as everything you write I feel so deeply. While my oldest is now 20 and my youngest is 11, with two more in between, the picture you paint mirrors my own from not so long ago. When my OCD swung out of control just after our second child was born and my fear was such a struggle - but the quest to find the trust and hold on… Just know that these words were a comfort to my soul. A reassurance. I am grateful for the way you can articulate my own heart.
Lovely. I’m also learning to gain back my innocence. And it’s through nature that I’m learning it. Being in nature, learning about the natural world, seeing the world through my children’s eyes. It’s beautiful. The Love of the Lord is truly miraculous because it heals all things.