Good morning…
“Sweet Sue,” she emailed me, “I saw you and a friend walking yesterday as I pulled out of my driveway, and I wanted to stop but I was running late to get somewhere.”
She continued: “I am so looking forward to the retreat at St. Philip’s on Saturday! I have found a beautiful way to initiate contact with God through Betty Skinner’s story over the years. Re-reading The Hidden Life Awakened this time, I have gone even deeper. I too suffered from depression when my children were little. I was so scared and alone. Betty’s story is such a comfort to me. Thank you so much for making this event happen! I can’t wait.”
I replied and got permission to anonymously share our exchange: “Thank you for writing. I am so grateful to know that we will be together on Saturday and that you too have gotten so much inspiration from Betty’s story as she slowly walked up the valley from clinical depression to the powerful peak of oneness with God, allowing Kitty and Cathy to chronicle the steps of her difficult, joy-filled journey. I can’t wait to give you a smiling hug on Saturday at St. Philip’s.”
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people (some manuscripts read Think of how people hurt themselves by opposing him); then you won’t become weary and give up (Hebrews 12:1-3, NLT).
…Sue…
P.S. By the end of the day today, we will turn in our final numbers for our lunch at Saturday’s Awake To Wellness Women’s Retreat. Please register for a seat at St. Philip’s, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm on Saturday ($50), and/or come to our Friday pre-retreat morning with authors Dr. Cathy Snapp and Kitty Crenshaw, 9:30-11:30 am at Northside Church (free of charge). Sign up for one or both events by touching this link: stphilipscathedral.org/episcopal-church-women-ecw/awake-to-wellness/
