So appreciate this line: "Amazing, isn’t it, that we would give up on a dream simply in order to remove ourselves from an uncomfortable season of waiting?"
Currently waiting for three years now for my daughter’s seizures to be controlled. Three years of ongoing med changes. Three years of LOTS of time spent in her bed. Today, as I lay on her bed beside her, she said, “Mom, you’re a good listener. You’re just sitting here listening to me, wanting to spend your time listening.” This was such a statement of crazy growth in my own life. I am a doer, always wanting to be on the move. To sit and just listen, even wait to listen, is, I believe, the fruit of waiting these long years for healing. God really does do so much work in us in the waiting.
But also, and somewhat ironically, I penned these words today —
“Waiting can feel like dying when one’s trying just to live.”
“… perhaps patience is entering fully into reality, this present moment, and simply being here.”
Ugh.
This all resonates so much.
Maybe it’s Lent, and maybe it’s just long overdue, but I don’t think I’ve been so aware of how much I work to avoid weakness, and what’s more weak than the powerlessness of waiting!
I’ve loved that Nouwen passage on waiting since I first read it years ago. Waiting is its own kind of work, and to believe that it is not passive is such a good reminder. I’m keeping you all in my prayers and warm thoughts—for Maile’s manuscript, and for this wild-wonderful dream of a bookshop. 🤍
So appreciate this line: "Amazing, isn’t it, that we would give up on a dream simply in order to remove ourselves from an uncomfortable season of waiting?"
I love this. And I hope the wait ends in YES.
Currently waiting for three years now for my daughter’s seizures to be controlled. Three years of ongoing med changes. Three years of LOTS of time spent in her bed. Today, as I lay on her bed beside her, she said, “Mom, you’re a good listener. You’re just sitting here listening to me, wanting to spend your time listening.” This was such a statement of crazy growth in my own life. I am a doer, always wanting to be on the move. To sit and just listen, even wait to listen, is, I believe, the fruit of waiting these long years for healing. God really does do so much work in us in the waiting.
But also, and somewhat ironically, I penned these words today —
“Waiting can feel like dying when one’s trying just to live.”
“… perhaps patience is entering fully into reality, this present moment, and simply being here.”
Ugh.
This all resonates so much.
Maybe it’s Lent, and maybe it’s just long overdue, but I don’t think I’ve been so aware of how much I work to avoid weakness, and what’s more weak than the powerlessness of waiting!
Thanks you, Shawn.
I’ve loved that Nouwen passage on waiting since I first read it years ago. Waiting is its own kind of work, and to believe that it is not passive is such a good reminder. I’m keeping you all in my prayers and warm thoughts—for Maile’s manuscript, and for this wild-wonderful dream of a bookshop. 🤍
This encouraged me deeply. Thank you💛
Yikes, my heart needed this so bad. I am in an excruciating season of waiting and I needed these words. Thank you
This is awesome! I am cheering for you guys!
I love this. And I love the idea of you guys owning a bookstore.
https://youtu.be/y0Y7ScfaVHs?si=T_FznN77WTFR_ZNM
Thank you for sharing this! Very timely to my own season! ☺️
Great thoughts, Shawn. I always appreciate your insight. Where is that Henri Nouwen quote from?
We're waiting and hoping and dreaming with you, Shawn ...