Things I Loved in September and Looking Ahead
For some reason, this month has been so busy and full. I started a new part-time job as volunteer coordinator for a non-profit. It was a job that I hadn’t been looking for, but that kind of plopped into my lap in a providential way.
Of course, since I’m a chronic overachiever, this might not be great for my casual resolution to rest more.
Oh well!
I finished reading seven books in September. Considering what a slump I’ve been in all year, this calls for a celebration.
Top Two Books
Very different books, but both distinctly wonderful. Linghun is still ingrained in my soul. A novella about grief, it made me feel both understood and challenged. Counting the Cost takes a close look at the effects of fundamentalism, and one woman’s journey toward healing.
Articles from Around the Web
When You Long to Know the “Why” Behind Your Sorrow (Tim Challies): Suffering is part of life, and it’s easy for Christians to throw out platitudes like “Everything happens for a reason,” and “God has a plan” (true statements that do absolutely nothing to validate experiences of pain and sorrow). I especially liked the second point: “You may think you want to know why, but it is worth asking if you actually do. What answer would satisfy you?”
Librarians on the Front Lines: A Reading List for Library Lovers and Realists (Longreads): An interesting look at what librarians actually do, which is not as glamourous as you may think. Think of them more as community warriors.
Should We Keep Talking About Writing? (Lore Wilbert): I’m one of those writers who is trying to move away from social media (let’s be real; it’s a circus over there). I keep lamenting that it’s unfair that authors must also be influencers in order to succeed in the publishing world. Substack is quickly becoming a platform for writers to simply write.
Raising a Rainbow Baby: A Brand New Layer of Grief (Still Standing Magazine): This is a topic I’ve also written frequently about. My daughter is such a joy, and, I am still grieving.
Being There (New York Times): Friendship is a topic that has weighed heavily on my mind the past few years, something I’d like to explore and write more about in the coming weeks. This article talks about one of the most important facets of a lasting friendship: presence.
Podcast Episodes
How Do I Move Forward After Losing a Friendship? (Healing Her): As I said, friendship has been on my mind.