Yesterday was the first time that I shared honestly about my deconstruction journey in our virtual community, loves. I give such great thanks that for the last several years my faith has been a lifeline for many. And truly, I think that being honest about the utter “uncertainty of all good things” I experienced since well before The Great P. began will do you and I both some good.
Let me start off by explaining what deconstruction is…
The process of deconstruction is the process of unpacking all the elements of faith we've gathered over the years, examining each one for truth and usefulness, and keeping, revising or discarding as needed. - Joy Vetterlein
Have you ever encountered season after season after season where you have been absolutely uncertain of what God’s doing in your life?
I have.
I’ve mentioned it time and again, but I was praying for a miracle when I received my cancer diagnosis. Like, literally praying for my body to be healed, restored, and made new. But it wasn’t. It hasn’t been. And I don’t know if that is God’s plan… ever.
Caption: Just a lady, sitting in a chair, having her picture taken as she launches her new-old career post-melanoma. Scar intentionally revealed because while it may be small, it is mighty. It - cancer - changed everything for this woman, including her walk with God. It really, really did
The Woman at the Well
Here’s the thing chronic disease, cancer, special needs parenting - I’ve come to The Well for healing time and again. But rarely have I come to The Well for The Healer, himself. I cannot wait to hear Terri Sestina talk about The Samaritan Woman and John 4 at group this weekend! A powerful piece of my deconstruction-reconstruction-solid-ground-for-now faith journey has been leaning into my why.
Why do I still turn to Jesus?
Does it even make sense anymore?
(Spoiler alert: for me, it does.)
I hope you’ll join us at our virtual Moms for Mental Health group. Also, if your faith journey is an absolute hot mess right now, I want you to know there is no judgement here. None at all. Come. Listen. Laugh with us. Cry with us. Be seen here, with us.
Mentor Moment
Try not to compare by Amy Brown
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
Let's put our oxygen masks on for a few minutes.
I would like to invite you to do one small thing. Do not compare yourself with others. I know, it is not easy. Comparison does not bring peace. Comparison steals our joy and causes us to be anxious. There will always be someone with a tidier house, a more organized schedule, and better behaved kids. I have reminded myself of this repeatedly in the last few weeks. It is easy to compare ourselves to others when we feel overwhelmed. Several years ago a fellow homeschool mom was telling me about a project she was doing with her kids. She was teaching her children about the Lighthouses of Michigan. I left that conversation convinced that my kids were never going to make it in the world. How could I have forgotten the History of Michigan Lighthouses?? What was wrong with me? Obviously, you see how silly that is. Remember you are doing good work.
Remember, you are doing good work.
If I can leave you with anything, let it be those last six words dear one.
Pass them along?
You existing is good work. Such good work.
Until we meet again,
Jennifer