Ahh, thank you Hannah 😊 it tumbled out with very little involvement from my head! I’m curious what resonates particularly. I’ll keep exploring these things anyhow! 🙏
You’ve put such eloquent words to lots of similar thoughts and feelings that have been swirling within me too Elizabeth, thank you! I often talk about finding and living in the light. Makes me think of a MLK Jr quote I often turn to - “darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred, only love can do that”.
Thank you, Hayley! I’m glad it resonated. I love that MLK Jr quote, and fully believe that it’s true. There’s a lot of dark and hatred around, and it can feel countercultural to seek and choose light — but it’s what the world needs, I think. Thanks again for commenting 🙂🙏
Thank you, Rochelle! How kind. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙏😊 Was there something particular that resonated? - I’m always curious how things land with people
I had a period of intense darkness due to what was happening to one of my adult children. My recurring dream during sleep was continuous images of bright light. That was the entire dream, just light. A friend asked me what it looked like and I could not really describe it. The closest I can come to describing what I saw in the visual field of this dream would be rays of bright light coming in from the left. I also fell in love with clouds as I went for walks during that time.
I really appreciate it when people in positions of leadership openly wrestle with their faith and convictions -- it can be such encouraging and honest accompaniment. And how brave of him to sing! -- I'm not really an ABBA fan, but the occasional lyric stands out, e.g. in that song, "I believe in...something good in everything I see." Thank you for sharing!
My favourite RedLands post so far! :-)
Ahh, thank you Hannah 😊 it tumbled out with very little involvement from my head! I’m curious what resonates particularly. I’ll keep exploring these things anyhow! 🙏
You’ve put such eloquent words to lots of similar thoughts and feelings that have been swirling within me too Elizabeth, thank you! I often talk about finding and living in the light. Makes me think of a MLK Jr quote I often turn to - “darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred, only love can do that”.
Thank you, Hayley! I’m glad it resonated. I love that MLK Jr quote, and fully believe that it’s true. There’s a lot of dark and hatred around, and it can feel countercultural to seek and choose light — but it’s what the world needs, I think. Thanks again for commenting 🙂🙏
I loved this lots, thank you.
Thank you, Rochelle! How kind. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙏😊 Was there something particular that resonated? - I’m always curious how things land with people
I had a period of intense darkness due to what was happening to one of my adult children. My recurring dream during sleep was continuous images of bright light. That was the entire dream, just light. A friend asked me what it looked like and I could not really describe it. The closest I can come to describing what I saw in the visual field of this dream would be rays of bright light coming in from the left. I also fell in love with clouds as I went for walks during that time.
What a powerful image of your bright dream -- thank you for sharing it. And I hope that dream light spilled into your day-to-day life 🙏
Lovely piece Elizabeth, thank you.
(Our new vicar is wonderful and at times an obviously tortured soul who openly wrestles with his convictions in services.
On his first visit to the church a month ago; (following his induction by a mighty bishop) his sermon ended with:
___“I’m going to take a risk here…”___
and then to an individual parishioner sitting on his right in the front pew he said:
“Do You like taking risks?”
To which the man murmured a quizzical “Yes”
With that the vicar launched into ABBA’s “I have a dream” with no accompaniment (& certainly no microphone),
in strident falsetto he delivered the entire song unabated!
Believe me: this was the most impressive sight and sound we had seen or heard in our church for a long, long time.
The Reverend Andrew Rawding take a bow if you wish.
Awestruck we sat - hah)
Thank you as ever, Bruce.
I really appreciate it when people in positions of leadership openly wrestle with their faith and convictions -- it can be such encouraging and honest accompaniment. And how brave of him to sing! -- I'm not really an ABBA fan, but the occasional lyric stands out, e.g. in that song, "I believe in...something good in everything I see." Thank you for sharing!
Stunning, Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for reading and for your comment Kimberly - how kind! x
Elizabeth,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful insights
I feel we are sisters in spirit.
I give you: 'We who can soar'
Once again, thank you.
we who can soar
eagle-hearted and high
beyond all projections
we who can soar
and dance with the angels
on cloud swirls of splendour
knowing the truth is a feeling of starlight
we who can dance
and make light of the darkness
and yield with the crushing
of dreams in the dawn light
and make love out of nothing
but damp earth and sunbeams
we who join,
join together in spirit
to weave gossamer circles
in air full of failings
we who can soar
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