Thank you. For years God has placed me in places and with people who need some one who is empathetic to them as individuals and situations. Mostly…people who need to be heard and given a safe place. It took me years to understand recognizing the needs of others was a spiritual gift. I didn’t seek them. They sought me. I wasn’t being asked to fix them, but to listen with kindness. Sometimes the connection was brief and some extended over years. I also experienced knowing the difference between helping and being emphatic. Thanks for your posting today. See you Sunday!
Susan, I love reading comments like this from people who see so clearly their own spiritual gifts. You absolutely carry that empathy with you wherever you go! It's in you and around you! Thanks for what you give to the world.
What a beautiful offering, MaryAnn! In England they celebrate Mothering Sunday instead of Mother’s Day. A reflection on the many ways one can be a mother. Love your shirt!!
A fact that is sadly overlooked. I avoided both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day along with Veteran’s Day when I led worship. People would call me out (especially as a retired Chaplain) and say I was unpatriotic. My response was we worship God and not holidays.
I'm reading Preaching in Hitler's Shadow, and I think it was Barth who said he never ever strayed from his preaching "schedule" (I guess this was pre-RCL) no matter what was happening in the news, he simply let the gospel speak. The only exception he made was when the Titanic sank, and if I remember correctly, he ended up regretting that choice.
I thought this was gorgeous writing. I appreciate the careful reading of Friedman. It has seemed all along to me that the argument was a "bro" argument against feminism. I liked how you brought it together in the last paragraph. Thanks.
Plus, I loved the photo if you in that shirt. Have a great weekend
I think that every virtue or strength has the possibility of being a detriment if taken too far. The key is in the balance- in the constant self awareness that allows for honest assessment and adjustment when needed. Empaths carry a heavy burden with their superpower that can exhaust and overwhelm if not balanced with healthy boundaries and self care. But to discredit that ability as a sin, to label it and dismiss it is to see the rainbow of human giftedness through a very narrow, black and white lens. Thank you for this post, MaryAnn- from one empath to another!
Thank you. For years God has placed me in places and with people who need some one who is empathetic to them as individuals and situations. Mostly…people who need to be heard and given a safe place. It took me years to understand recognizing the needs of others was a spiritual gift. I didn’t seek them. They sought me. I wasn’t being asked to fix them, but to listen with kindness. Sometimes the connection was brief and some extended over years. I also experienced knowing the difference between helping and being emphatic. Thanks for your posting today. See you Sunday!
Susan, I love reading comments like this from people who see so clearly their own spiritual gifts. You absolutely carry that empathy with you wherever you go! It's in you and around you! Thanks for what you give to the world.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart. Barred, and yet here I am, too! 🧡
Thank you for reading, Glenda!
What a beautiful offering, MaryAnn! In England they celebrate Mothering Sunday instead of Mother’s Day. A reflection on the many ways one can be a mother. Love your shirt!!
Yeah, and I wanted to squeeze in the idea that Mothers Day here originated as part of antiwar efforts. No room to make that connection...
And yes! The shirt is from Ben Wildflower.
A fact that is sadly overlooked. I avoided both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day along with Veteran’s Day when I led worship. People would call me out (especially as a retired Chaplain) and say I was unpatriotic. My response was we worship God and not holidays.
I'm reading Preaching in Hitler's Shadow, and I think it was Barth who said he never ever strayed from his preaching "schedule" (I guess this was pre-RCL) no matter what was happening in the news, he simply let the gospel speak. The only exception he made was when the Titanic sank, and if I remember correctly, he ended up regretting that choice.
Thanks for sharing that with me. Just bought it!
I thought this was gorgeous writing. I appreciate the careful reading of Friedman. It has seemed all along to me that the argument was a "bro" argument against feminism. I liked how you brought it together in the last paragraph. Thanks.
Plus, I loved the photo if you in that shirt. Have a great weekend
Thanks Hans! One of my favorite shirts. Have a good weekend too!
I think that every virtue or strength has the possibility of being a detriment if taken too far. The key is in the balance- in the constant self awareness that allows for honest assessment and adjustment when needed. Empaths carry a heavy burden with their superpower that can exhaust and overwhelm if not balanced with healthy boundaries and self care. But to discredit that ability as a sin, to label it and dismiss it is to see the rainbow of human giftedness through a very narrow, black and white lens. Thank you for this post, MaryAnn- from one empath to another!
Spoken like a wise mental health professional! Thanks always for reading so thoughtfully and for amplifying as you so often do.
Mary Ann, this your best posting yet. And so very timely. The Friedman section is very helpful. Thanks for uplifting the golden necessity of empathy.
High praise from a preacher I admire! Thanks for reading Susan.
What a thoroughly inquisitive, beautiful, strong-shouldered essay this was. Thank you for it.
Alice, this kind comment means a lot. Thank you right back!
This! Empathy and Andor!
https://screenrant.com/star-wars-andor-season-2-empathy/