Terribly Interesting

        Our healing group began a foray for hope by reading the first week of Healing from Codependency. The week’s topic was to think enough of ourselves. I struggled with those words. Think enough of yourself.  We see the affirmation "I am enough." I’ve struggled with that as well. Am I? Do I even need to be? Isn’t God enough? I read a book about having a narcissistic parent titled “Will I ever be enough?” The answer to that is, unfortunately, no. The hope there is in a compassionate understanding of the brokenness and inability to connect in a meaningful way for this other person. The healing comes when you realize that you never have to be enough for them. You can stop chasing a moving goal post. We heal with the understanding that God has deemed us just right and He declares it right where we are in our story. There’s rest in that.  Thinking enough of myself brought tears to my eyes. They were grateful. I can clearly remember the myriad of voices that ...

 I recently read The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. I gleaned quite a bit from reading it. The content reminded me of releasing co-dependency and being in life-coaching school. Mel boils everything down to a simple formula to let people act how they want to because we are not in control of them anyway. In fact, our control may be harming them. The second part of the theory is, ”Let me.” You can see how this could be helpful, I’m sure. You can only act on what you are have control over, yourself. I choose my response and what I linger on. I choose grace or bitterness. It can be a true pivot point to not make pour decisions based on others actions. It is a masterclass in letting go. I say the phrases to myself often when I am tempted to dwell on hurtful things. Let them. Let me. Of course, the theory isn’t condoning abuse or saying to let your kids run amuck. Those things are addressed in the book. There were also portions of the book that I didn’t agree with or thought could be har...

  A friend lent me a book. Theo of Golden. I had just begun reading it. It’s about an artist and people being seen. It led me to think about this friend I made on a pilgrimage in Israel. She is much older than me and darling. We are an unlikely pair, but our hearts are knit together. We were on buses, in gardens, on windy cliffs. I lit a candle in a monastery for her in Haifa, Israel after she fell ill. I photographed flowers for her. She is well now. She lends me books. Ingrid. As I thought about people that I pray for, I could see the depths hidden in their heart. I could see my friend Jenni breaking her alabaster jar in public spaces. She is writing a book. I pray for her fire to illuminate darkened rooms and hearts. I could see my brilliant, beautiful daughter not able to see how wonderful she is. I love her. She’s strumming her ukelele and talking to a cat. Hope looks so simple. Laomai. I could see myself sitting on deep things because they weren’t welcome in the market place....

Are you wanting your brain to form new, healthy pathways already? You are on the way to your brave future and your brain wants to travel in a familiar rut. It’s quite a bit of work to help your brain know that it is safe to operate in a new way.  I’ve been paving a literal path in my back yard. It gives such a great visual because you can see that you aren’t just laying down stones and walking. There’s ground to break up, roots to pull out, and a new sand base to be laid. I’ve had to chisel and break pavers to fit the path. There is a process of creating stability that involves repeated removing and replacing of stones.  We do this in our healing journey. Sometimes, the removing can feel as though our chest is on fire. The great and beautiful news is that we do not do this alone. God puts a fire in our bones that makes us long for healing. Reading scripture gives us strength, stamina, and comfort for the long days of work. We can rest in God’s presence along the way. Simply st...

 The end of a flowering, flourishing season can feel sad. If you look closely you will see the next steps for your life. The earth literally cracks open with seeds. You have hope in your hand. From here, you dream of new things. You decide what you want to grow and where. You are given a gift to grow the life you love. As the ground is dormant and our lives are dormant, we can dream of and prepare for spring. What will you be growing? Book an appointment to plan the next season of your life. StephCherry.com  

🍁 It is October 1st! Let’s commit our month to Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for autumn and the invitation to savor colors and flavors and company. We commit this October to You. Lead us to act in wisdom and kindness to those in our path. Give us the humility to follow where you lead and to receive what you generously give. Show us what you want for our October. May we sow beauty for your Namesake. Amen. Let’s create a life you love. Book a session at StephCherry.com