“When the dominator model no longer obstructs our search, we can begin the real spiritual journey.” –Riane Eisler domination: to have control or power over Perhaps without even meaning to, we have listened to generations of a dominating spirit and voice tell us what it means to be spiritual, to be the church. And if we don’t want to give in to that dominating voice, we are called sinful, idolatrous, lost, weak. But the truth is, that voice is afraid. The... Read more
“Indeed, it may be said that God cannot be known in the mind but only experienced in the heart.” –Steven Levine In a few months, we are moving out of this lovely little apartment and into a house about seven minutes from where we live now. It happened so organically– a prayer answered through a relationship, all the details met in every way we could imagine. We will have that yard to garden and space to run, for our dog... Read more
On my refrigerator there is a dry erase board where I write down the things I shouldn’t forget. Yesterday the thoughts came from Rob Bell’s podcast, episode 79. In college I watched his NOOMA videos and they were life-changing, and after a few years I’ve discovered him again in a different season of my life. His podcasts are incredibly real and the content is beautiful– I’d encourage you to listen. Yesterday I heard him say, “Sometimes we need a word... Read more
“Deep down we must have real affection for each other, a clear realization or recognition of our shared human status. At the same time, we must openly accept all ideologies and systems as a means of solving humanity’s problems. One country, one nation, one ideology, one system is not sufficient. It is helpful to have a variety of different approaches on the basis of a deep feeling of the basic sameness of humanity. We can then make a joint effort... Read more
This last weekend I met with some dear friends and really had life-nourishing conversations about God and the way our hearts are wired to seek that Mystery on our journey. The boys spent their days with their other-great-grandma, walking dogs and digging up worms and eat popsicles and sliding in mud and blowing bubbles– the toddler’s dream. And I went from friend to friend, giving narrative of how we are doing and what we are up to and what Atlanta... Read more
Today we get back on that plane and head to our current home, our little apartment with the husky too big for the space and a guy we have been missing these past seven days. And in this return, I am full. I understand that I may be the minority in this, who calls going home something lovely and spends time with friends as a retreat and rest period. I processed some things, and it’s amazing if you lean into... Read more
“We don’t nourish our soul. Our soul nourishes us.” –Jack Canfield I’m not really one for pampering, for letting loose to shop and indulge on a regular basis. So on the third night back home, my mom, sister and I took a night out, just for us, just to spend some time together. And because we only get this chance every few years, we let nothing stop us. We huddled up in a booth at an Italian restaurant and... Read more
At my sister’s house, we are staying in the girls’ room, Eliot on the twin bed and Isaiah and me on the bigger one. And a few times, either after they go to bed or before they wake, I sneak into the closet for some quiet. It’s got what you’d expect to find– all these little hidden treasures, their favorite books, pictures they’ve drawn and painted. There’s a dress-up bin and beaded necklaces and a rolling backpack covered in... Read more
Jesus, Isn’t it true that You see the way back and the way forward? And so every part of our story, every space on our horizon is known by You. And if we trust anything, we trust that You care, that Your steady parent-presence guides us in this life, nurtures us in our infancy, teaches us in our adolescence, believes in us through adulthood, ages into our being as we ourselves age. You cover every space we encounter, and... Read more
We drove to Kansas for dinner, and after a heavy rain, the clouds were hanging low on the horizon, the sun setting to meet them. For a minute I could see heaven, and I wanted to run to it. Those far off billowing clouds were calling to something in me. A friend the other day said that maybe heaven will be without sin, but a world just like this one in which we work and breathe and maybe struggle... Read more
Stories - with Kaitlin B. Curtice
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