Good morning…
After reading the quote by Rachel Held Evans shared in yesterday’s blog post, as a class we decided to study Rachel’s newest book next semester. It’s entitled Wholehearted Faith.
Up in the middle of the night now, I research a little bit about Rachel, an American Christian columnist, blogger and author. My google search reveals a tragic truth: “Rachel Held Evans died from extensive brain swelling after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to medication prescribed for a flu and UTI. After being hospitalized in April 2019, she was placed in a medically induced coma. While doctors attempted to wean her off the coma medication, her condition worsened, leading to the brain swelling that ultimately resulted in her death on May 4, 2019.”
Wow, Rachel died at age 37?
At the time, she was exploring in her writing what it meant to live faith with God, wholeheartedly. Then her life abruptly ended. Carrying on her wise legacy, a writer-friend, Jeff Chu, brought Rachel’s unpublished words to life in this New York Times best seller.
Within a few days, confirmation for our book choice came through a Richard Rohr meditation, featuring the words of you know who, Rachel Held Evans, highlighting an excerpt from Wholehearted Faith.
Please enjoy the inspiration of Rachel, as she reflects on how Mary’s courageous “yes” to God is pivotal to our own wholehearted faith.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/courageous-vulnerability/
Then Mary said, “My heart is overflowing with praise of my Lord, my soul is full of joy in God my Saviour. For he has deigned to notice me, his humble servant and, after this, all the people who ever shall be will call me the happiest of women! The one who can do all things has done great things for me—oh, holy is his Name!” (Luke 1:46-49, PHILLIPS).
…Sue…
P.S. Thanks to Vilda Brannen for the photos of her Advent to Lent wreathe, a beloved holiday tradition for her faithful family.
