Rachel Held Evan's Searching for Sunday is about church: its triumphs and failings, its hypocrisy and grace. Rachel, like me, grew up in a well-intentioned Evangelical community where the Bible is accepted as fact and the "plain truth" is within easy reach. It's a culture of black and white morality, where spiritual cliches are a … Continue reading review: Rachel Held Evans’ Searching for Sunday
doubt
Good Friday
In 2011, God was silent. I didn't stop believing, but I was numb. Numb like cold fingers in the middle of winter: on the brink of frostbite. I was terrified of losing the religion, the community, and the language of faith that had been central to my life as a child and young adult. The … Continue reading Good Friday
little boxes
I've been thinking a lot about the hard work it takes to realize personal goals. I'm a quitter, you see. A lot of my high school graduating class has successfully transitioned to "normal" adult life. They work at banks, in cubicles, or at medical offices. They wear suits or scrubs. They participate in the thrill … Continue reading little boxes
I am not less
One Saturday night a few weeks ago, Daniel and I were in the car on the way to a potluck dinner where several grad students would be present when he asked me: "Why do you act embarrassed that you're not in grad school?" I replied, "Because I am embarrassed. And I'm embarrassed now that my embarrassment was … Continue reading I am not less
See! I am doing a new thing
The planting is hard but the Sprouting it hurts. Imagine! Writhing Up against nature's grounding force through mildewing grime Would you - human - with free will, with choice ever push? Eat dirt, awaken? The mums are stronger It wasn't their choice It's nature Look! If it's light and dew you want you already have … Continue reading See! I am doing a new thing
open arms
I stopped going to church for nearly a year for a variety of reasons. I didn't feel that my academic knowledge was appreciated, I was limited by my gender, I wasn't at all comfortable with opening up about real struggle, I didn't fit in. I think Daniel and I feared that we would never really … Continue reading open arms
Leah Wise 