afflicted saint
sing with joy
a verse
My brother (hi david 🤍) recommended The Amen Effect by Rabbi Brous. It talks about the “very holy work of not running away” from pain and suffering, yours or mine. The book begins with a fascinating English translation of Jeremiah 31:13 that I couldn’t find anywhere else. It’s beautiful:
I will transform their anguish into joy,
uncovering solace and even delight
amidst their heartache.
a hymn
I like that being a Christian means that it’s ok not to be ok. Life is a wilderness. Plunking this old hymn in the wee hours has been helping me be a sheep who needs a Shepherd. To speak honestly with God. To ask for hope. To hold God to his promises to keep me and his people, no matter what.
Afflicted Saint, to Christ draw near
Your Savior's gracious promise hear
His faithful word you can believe
That as your days your strength shall beYour faith is weak, your foes are strong
And if the conflict should be long
The Lord will make the tempter flee
That as your days your strength shall beSo, sing with joy, afflicted one
The battle's fierce, but the victory's won
God shall supply all that you need
Yes, as your days your strength shall beShould persecution rage and flame
Still trust in your Redeemer's name
In fiery trials, you shall see
That as your days your strength shall beWhen called to bear your weighty cross
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss
Or deep distress or poverty
Still as your days your strength shall be
TLDR? a friend comforted me simply with the profound: reb, lament. and then let the love of Jesus arrest you.
a doodle
behind the scenes of an unfinished doodle that i liked sketching just because. wiggly toes of smoller nephew kept me company.
yesterday, my brother-in-law told me: anytime that tedders hears the song Jesus, Strong and Kind, he shouts “bidet! bidet! bidet!”.
i feel like i’ve won at life 🥹🤍
be well, friends!
love,
reb