Again and again you "give words to the wordless". So very often you write words that give me words for what is going on inside that I don't know how to articulate or even understand. This piece reaches right inside me with truth, with love, with light for my darkness.
Crying in resonance. This is the sort of prayer I'm feeling my way to blindly, as I try to wake up to what I've always known but never dared to hope is there.
🥹I hope you can receive that feeling your way there blindly is good, that there is more happening within your groans and sighs than you can sense on most days.
Your prose is poetry in the sense that as soon as I finish reading it in its entirety, I want to start all over and read it again knowing that I will need to do that over and over again to fully imbibe all that your have offered us here. So dense. So beautiful. Better and better, and it makes me so excited for your next book to release.
Favorite line that deeply resonates with my own faith journey is, “ I stopped trying to believe and started watching for love.”
🥹 well, damn. thank you. I know no other way to write—my editor could tell you; I don’t know how to state much plainly. I’m grateful my way of writing is one that draws you in and makes you want to rest a while. I’m even more grateful that you too have set down the heavy mantle of belief for the light lens of attention and awe.
KJ, when I first read your words on IG, they described my inner prayer world in such a resonant way, I got chills. Because this is how I pray too. Its hard for me to pray petitionary prayers, let alone out loud. I, too, have experienced this deeper sinking into God since I started my journey to become a spiritual director three years ago. Centering Prayer (I've centered on Beloved for 2 years), has been literally life changing. St. Ignatius, and the other early saints have become a welcome (and sometimes annoying!) companion.
Anyway, thank you for bringing the metaphor. For helping carry across what we once knew into a deeper knowing of the love of Christ below our very feet.
I love how our private experiences really are a participation in a flow that is eternal and universal. Centering prayer was a deep resource for me in the years prior to my medical crisis and then I was no longer able to practice it. It’s beautiful, though, to see that those years of practice had formed space inside me. And I remain curious and expectant for what prayer and love will emerge from that space in the coming season. Thank you for sharing of your experience. And for your chosen path!
Yes. I resonate with this so much. Just now starting to piece together what was lost when I had a medical crisis two years ago this June. It's a really overwhelming reality; grateful for your words and honesty.
So beautiful to read your writing, KJ! I totally can relate to the experience of having people trying to pray my illnesses away and while the intentions are pure sweetness, it kind of irked me as they weren’t seeing me as a person but rather my illnesses. Also- God is using my illnesses to build my character and thus- help others in the midst of this hard life I’m living. Hopefully you feel the same 💖 And as always, thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable with us.
Yes, I too have had folks try to pray my illnesses away and miss the person enduring them—and the miracle of endurance that grace creates. And I too do sense that illness creates a context in which I am more compelled to change and love in ways I probably would not if my life were easier. Suffering is a creative force unparalleled except by love.
I’m grateful I have offered you hope! I feel like I’m mostly stubborn, and I’m glad that trait keeps me aimed at amazement more than angry about all that aches.
Anie, I’m so grateful you find something resonant here. I hope these words honored the imagination within you for what attention and love can mean in a changed life and changed spirituality.
I’m so glad this resonated with you, David. I’m reimagining what prayer and sacredness can mean in my life, after/in so much loss and change. I hope these words honor the imagination within you too.
Your words resonated strongly. I was a priest for 21 years, but my alignment with the narrative that sustained that priesthood gradually disintegrated. Your words brought me back to a connection with the idea of prayer as a gift I can give. This is something that I always felt. I now work to help those experiencing huge loss and change as well as fractured relationships. So this is a powerful perspective to reintegrate into my work.
I love all of this so much. For many years I could not even say the word prayer without it feeling cringy to me. And now I am grateful for how much the prayers means to me and the sincerity I feel with it. Thank you for this beautiful confirmation of what I feel.
This was soothing to my soul and I am grateful for this article landing in my presence, grateful for your words, and grateful for the inner knowing power of prayer
Again and again you "give words to the wordless". So very often you write words that give me words for what is going on inside that I don't know how to articulate or even understand. This piece reaches right inside me with truth, with love, with light for my darkness.
It is an honor to help you name the holiness within your own soul. An honor.
Crying in resonance. This is the sort of prayer I'm feeling my way to blindly, as I try to wake up to what I've always known but never dared to hope is there.
🥹I hope you can receive that feeling your way there blindly is good, that there is more happening within your groans and sighs than you can sense on most days.
Your prose is poetry in the sense that as soon as I finish reading it in its entirety, I want to start all over and read it again knowing that I will need to do that over and over again to fully imbibe all that your have offered us here. So dense. So beautiful. Better and better, and it makes me so excited for your next book to release.
Favorite line that deeply resonates with my own faith journey is, “ I stopped trying to believe and started watching for love.”
🥹 well, damn. thank you. I know no other way to write—my editor could tell you; I don’t know how to state much plainly. I’m grateful my way of writing is one that draws you in and makes you want to rest a while. I’m even more grateful that you too have set down the heavy mantle of belief for the light lens of attention and awe.
What a gift you are to us.
Blaine!! Thank you for reading!!
You have touched my spirit to the core - so grateful for your words.
I’m so grateful to have encouraged you 🙏🏼
You are such an inspiration! Thank you! Can’t wait for your new book!
Thank you, Cindy. I can’t wait to share it! 🥹
KJ! You've had the encounter with God that I'm desperate for! He is amazing, and so are you!
The mystical near-death experience certainly was life-altering, but I wouldn’t wish the medical crisis part on you! ;)
This is beautifully written. I nodded my head throughout as if you were writing the words stamped across my heart.
🥹 goodness, that is encouraging to hear. This was one of those pieces I just really hoped made *enough* sense outside of my brain/heart!
You are a very gifted writer, K.J. Truly. Thank you for sharing your powerful words with us all.
KJ, when I first read your words on IG, they described my inner prayer world in such a resonant way, I got chills. Because this is how I pray too. Its hard for me to pray petitionary prayers, let alone out loud. I, too, have experienced this deeper sinking into God since I started my journey to become a spiritual director three years ago. Centering Prayer (I've centered on Beloved for 2 years), has been literally life changing. St. Ignatius, and the other early saints have become a welcome (and sometimes annoying!) companion.
Anyway, thank you for bringing the metaphor. For helping carry across what we once knew into a deeper knowing of the love of Christ below our very feet.
I love how our private experiences really are a participation in a flow that is eternal and universal. Centering prayer was a deep resource for me in the years prior to my medical crisis and then I was no longer able to practice it. It’s beautiful, though, to see that those years of practice had formed space inside me. And I remain curious and expectant for what prayer and love will emerge from that space in the coming season. Thank you for sharing of your experience. And for your chosen path!
Yes. I resonate with this so much. Just now starting to piece together what was lost when I had a medical crisis two years ago this June. It's a really overwhelming reality; grateful for your words and honesty.
It really is an overwhelming reality. Chronic illness shifted so much in me, but the life-threatening medical crisis really cracked me open.
So beautiful to read your writing, KJ! I totally can relate to the experience of having people trying to pray my illnesses away and while the intentions are pure sweetness, it kind of irked me as they weren’t seeing me as a person but rather my illnesses. Also- God is using my illnesses to build my character and thus- help others in the midst of this hard life I’m living. Hopefully you feel the same 💖 And as always, thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable with us.
Yes, I too have had folks try to pray my illnesses away and miss the person enduring them—and the miracle of endurance that grace creates. And I too do sense that illness creates a context in which I am more compelled to change and love in ways I probably would not if my life were easier. Suffering is a creative force unparalleled except by love.
I love your heart and how you keep finding the good despite all the not so good, you truly embody what God's goodness is! You always give me hope!
M
I’m grateful I have offered you hope! I feel like I’m mostly stubborn, and I’m glad that trait keeps me aimed at amazement more than angry about all that aches.
I appreciate you more than you know, KJ. So, so thankful for your words... always.
Anie, I’m so grateful you find something resonant here. I hope these words honored the imagination within you for what attention and love can mean in a changed life and changed spirituality.
When I pray for you I don't ask for results, only that you be held in love.
Thank you for such a beautiful perspective.
I’m so glad this resonated with you, David. I’m reimagining what prayer and sacredness can mean in my life, after/in so much loss and change. I hope these words honor the imagination within you too.
Your words resonated strongly. I was a priest for 21 years, but my alignment with the narrative that sustained that priesthood gradually disintegrated. Your words brought me back to a connection with the idea of prayer as a gift I can give. This is something that I always felt. I now work to help those experiencing huge loss and change as well as fractured relationships. So this is a powerful perspective to reintegrate into my work.
I love all of this so much. For many years I could not even say the word prayer without it feeling cringy to me. And now I am grateful for how much the prayers means to me and the sincerity I feel with it. Thank you for this beautiful confirmation of what I feel.
Yessss to the cringe and yesssss to rediscovering the goodness of prayer. I am so glad this resonated with what you have been experiencing too.
This was soothing to my soul and I am grateful for this article landing in my presence, grateful for your words, and grateful for the inner knowing power of prayer