Herald of Divine Love
Just a few short weeks ago I wrote to you about the death of Grow Christians contributor Elizabeth Felicetti. And […]
Just a few short weeks ago I wrote to you about the death of Grow Christians contributor Elizabeth Felicetti. And […]
A friend from seminary preached at church this week and talked about the passive aggression behind the phrase, ‘bless your heart.’ Most
Parenthood can make friendships a lot more complicated. If you have or have ever had young children, you know what
Joseph the Levite believed in second chances. The apostles called him Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement.”
Saint Aelred of Rievaulx is known for his work on spiritual friendship.
For a friendship more separate than equal, we don our funeral black, and sign the guest book on the way in, all our children watching and following our lead with solemnity.
Twelve years ago, I packed up my beloved Virginia home of nearly a decade and moved to New England. 72 hours later, amid a sea of boxes, I called my best friend Merritt—2,000 miles away—certain that I had made a mistake.
In the days leading up to the start of school I had several conversations with my son Sam and all of them started the same: “Mom, I’m scared to start first grade.”
Today we celebrate the Visitation of Mary. The Visitation is when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with John (the baptizer). I like to think about this holy friendship—this time of mutual support and love for each other.
Saint Aelred of Rievaulx is known for his work on spiritual friendship. What a time to be confronted with the idea of spiritual friendship, when friendship might feel like the furthest-away love we are feeling.