I may not be a Christian anymore, but so much of this resonates and mirrors my own current journey to rediscover and reestablish trust with my (as you put it) True Self. This was beautiful and I so appreciate your vulnerability in sharing it.
Learning to trust our good, good, God-given hearts is such a good, good thing. Peace as you go (moving is hell), and peace as you come, and peace as you stay or move. Peace, peace, peace. Also, as a friend reminded me yesterday, also from Fleabag, "It'll pass." So many things will pass and it will be okay.
You're doing this whole life thing right, Katelyn.
Thank you for writing this newsletter! I'm grateful for the timing in which it landed in my inbox - I really needed to hear this, perhaps this week especially.
Prayers for your move and your discernment! And how about a pitch for Detroit? Big city with some close suburbs, Michigan laws but no Dutch bubble, and only three hours from Dayton... just sayin'. ;)
Having left New York and LA I am glad I landed back in Ohio- there are plenty of good coffee shops and movie houses and good local eateries. You are not condemned to Texas Roadhouse and Cracker Barrell. Fully live where you are!
"On the other hand, I agree that when people grow up hearing they are bad and broken and can’t trust their own hearts, they may lack the self-confidence needed to navigate complex decisions." YES. This is why I am so wishy-washy making big decisions -- because I was told my whole life that I could only trust Jesus and not myself. And many Christians, or at least the ones in my universe, don't think that the True Self is Biblical, that we are supposed to deny ourselves and follow Him. That has left me a middle-aged person who doubts everything I do. But, there is hope, as I am working on it, and I'm actually discovering my True Self, though no one else in my Christian community understands the need to do that.
What a great and honest read that as a 74 year old guy who is still trying to figure things out can deeply relate to. You got this because you’ve got a great heart and learning as you go. Thanks for sharing this.
As a fellow KB who is facing a looming job change (and therefore potential move), I resonate with so much of this. Proud of you (and us!) for sitting in the unknown future and trusting ourselves. Wherever you go, there you'll be :)
Having left New York and LA I am glad I landed back in Ohio- there are plenty of good coffee shops and movie houses and good local eateries. You are not condemned to Texas Roadhouse and Cracker Barrell. Fully live where you are!
I think the most important thing we can really know is that God will show up no matter where we show up. That is very liberating...and helps us in those moments of great indecision.
“perhaps, God is excited to see what lives we will create through a series of small and large choices, as we exercise agency as image bearers, gifted with reason and intuition and, hopefully, community and some wisdom, knowing all our multiple futures are secure in him.” I have felt this. Thanking you for the insightful essay.
I am in Columbus. I am not native. I feel like the food scene is very good here. Look me up if you ever want to meet for a cuppa.
I may not be a Christian anymore, but so much of this resonates and mirrors my own current journey to rediscover and reestablish trust with my (as you put it) True Self. This was beautiful and I so appreciate your vulnerability in sharing it.
Learning to trust our good, good, God-given hearts is such a good, good thing. Peace as you go (moving is hell), and peace as you come, and peace as you stay or move. Peace, peace, peace. Also, as a friend reminded me yesterday, also from Fleabag, "It'll pass." So many things will pass and it will be okay.
You're doing this whole life thing right, Katelyn.
Thank you for writing this newsletter! I'm grateful for the timing in which it landed in my inbox - I really needed to hear this, perhaps this week especially.
Prayers for your move and your discernment! And how about a pitch for Detroit? Big city with some close suburbs, Michigan laws but no Dutch bubble, and only three hours from Dayton... just sayin'. ;)
Having left New York and LA I am glad I landed back in Ohio- there are plenty of good coffee shops and movie houses and good local eateries. You are not condemned to Texas Roadhouse and Cracker Barrell. Fully live where you are!
Just throwing this out there:
Columbus, OH has a pretty rad indie movie theater. :)
Here to say Cleveland also has several. ☺️ OH isn’t that bad!! (Also lived in NYC for 5 years and Philly for 3)
"On the other hand, I agree that when people grow up hearing they are bad and broken and can’t trust their own hearts, they may lack the self-confidence needed to navigate complex decisions." YES. This is why I am so wishy-washy making big decisions -- because I was told my whole life that I could only trust Jesus and not myself. And many Christians, or at least the ones in my universe, don't think that the True Self is Biblical, that we are supposed to deny ourselves and follow Him. That has left me a middle-aged person who doubts everything I do. But, there is hope, as I am working on it, and I'm actually discovering my True Self, though no one else in my Christian community understands the need to do that.
Blessings on your move!
What a great and honest read that as a 74 year old guy who is still trying to figure things out can deeply relate to. You got this because you’ve got a great heart and learning as you go. Thanks for sharing this.
As a fellow KB who is facing a looming job change (and therefore potential move), I resonate with so much of this. Proud of you (and us!) for sitting in the unknown future and trusting ourselves. Wherever you go, there you'll be :)
This is lovely. And encouraging. And wise. Thank you for sharing such vulnerable posts with us. Blessings on your move!
Having left New York and LA I am glad I landed back in Ohio- there are plenty of good coffee shops and movie houses and good local eateries. You are not condemned to Texas Roadhouse and Cracker Barrell. Fully live where you are!
I think the most important thing we can really know is that God will show up no matter where we show up. That is very liberating...and helps us in those moments of great indecision.
Good luck!
“perhaps, God is excited to see what lives we will create through a series of small and large choices, as we exercise agency as image bearers, gifted with reason and intuition and, hopefully, community and some wisdom, knowing all our multiple futures are secure in him.” I have felt this. Thanking you for the insightful essay.
I am in Columbus. I am not native. I feel like the food scene is very good here. Look me up if you ever want to meet for a cuppa.
Blessings as you go, and thank you for this reflection.