Gilda, this is gorgeous. "The One who goes before His people and behind them" put me straight back into Exodus — the pillar of cloud ahead, the rearguard behind, Isaiah picking up the same image centuries later. You've drawn discipleship right out of that old promise without ever stating it outright, which is the harder and better way to do it.
And the disciples bickering over sandals and sun while still, somehow, falling back into step — there's real truth in that. Following has never required us to stop being human first.
"We do not have to begin graceful to be gathered" is the line I'll be carrying around for a while. Thank you for this.
This response moves me deeply—thank you. You have seen inside the piece more clearly than I could have articulated myself. The pillar of cloud was present in my heart as I wrote, but I wasn’t sure it would find anyone. I am so glad it found you. Your writing is deep, precise and unhurried. You see all the way to the bottom of something before you speak. This is rare and I sense that you do this effortlessly. Precious. And I think you have just given me the title of something I didn’t know I was writing yet.
Gilda, I'm glad it found you — that's exactly how these things should travel, quietly, until they land somewhere true. What you're calling "seeing inside the piece" is really just what attentive reading does when the writing has already done its work; your words had found the image long before I read them, I only got to recognise it out loud.
As for the title — I love that it arrived sideways like that, unasked for. Those are usually the ones worth keeping. I hope you'll let me know what it becomes.
Attentive reading! You most certainly are and it is refreshing to engage with one who understands. It reminds me of a book my father and I read by Mortimer Adler, How to Read a Book”. When we began reading it I said Hey! You’ve already taught me this stuff! And he laughed and said well it doesn’t hurt to hear it from the horse’s mouth and make sure you caught it all. 😂 I just thought my father figured it all out himself you see. So smart. Anyway, your ability to enter into whatever you’re reading and glean from it and then see even more is astounding. And I love it! I also love that you’re share with me so I can learn more with you. I am honored. What to do with it besides the reflection? Well so far I have thought of a formational book comparing and contrasting how we do this vs how God does this with us. And also more humorous book on the imagined conversations and lessons the disciples must have had while they walked with Jesus. Most of them were not at all alike and many alpha males…so how does Jesus get them to learn to love each other, walk together, etc. I think of this the way a parent might take their squabbling children out for a field exercise or a camping trip. Ok enough is enough! We are all going to experience this together and work together for you will see it won’t work any other way. If one struggles we all struggles. All for one and one for all type of thing. ☺️ Bonding.
Gilda — the Adler story made me smile properly. There's something wonderful about discovering your father learned the same things from a book that you thought only he knew — it doesn't diminish him at all, it just widens the tradition he was already part of. He was doing attentive reading long before Adler named it.
Both books want writing, but for different reasons. The formational one — how we do this versus how God does this with us — has the shape of something that could sit alongside your Lord's Prayer book as a companion volume. Glass and clay, imprinting, watch and step: all of it already lives there waiting.
But the disciples-on-a-field-trip book is the one I want to read first. You're absolutely right that the sheer incompatibility of that group is theologically significant and wildly underexplored. Fishermen and a tax collector in the same tent. Zealots and collaborators, alpha males and quiet ones, all of them equally certain they understand what's happening and equally wrong. The camping trip image is perfect: at some point Jesus essentially says right, we are all walking to Capernaum together and no one is getting out of it. Formation by unavoidable proximity. The ones who would never have chosen each other slowly becoming the ones who can't imagine being without each other.
That's not just a funny book. That might be the most practical ecclesiology anyone's written in years.
He is Wonderful indeed! I also was moved by seeing this and reminded that at all times and in every place we are held in His love. How lovely that you also were moved. Thank you for blessing me by sharing your thoughts.
This is cool. Thank you for the picture of how God guides and leads us. He is God with us. That is so comforting. He has been with us so much on this trip-- leading, protecting, showing beauty.
You’re so welcome! I am so glad this landed with you. What a comfort it is indeed that He is ever present. How wonderful, also, that your trip is full of joy, beauty and walking with Him.
Gilda, this is gorgeous. "The One who goes before His people and behind them" put me straight back into Exodus — the pillar of cloud ahead, the rearguard behind, Isaiah picking up the same image centuries later. You've drawn discipleship right out of that old promise without ever stating it outright, which is the harder and better way to do it.
And the disciples bickering over sandals and sun while still, somehow, falling back into step — there's real truth in that. Following has never required us to stop being human first.
"We do not have to begin graceful to be gathered" is the line I'll be carrying around for a while. Thank you for this.
This response moves me deeply—thank you. You have seen inside the piece more clearly than I could have articulated myself. The pillar of cloud was present in my heart as I wrote, but I wasn’t sure it would find anyone. I am so glad it found you. Your writing is deep, precise and unhurried. You see all the way to the bottom of something before you speak. This is rare and I sense that you do this effortlessly. Precious. And I think you have just given me the title of something I didn’t know I was writing yet.
Gilda, I'm glad it found you — that's exactly how these things should travel, quietly, until they land somewhere true. What you're calling "seeing inside the piece" is really just what attentive reading does when the writing has already done its work; your words had found the image long before I read them, I only got to recognise it out loud.
As for the title — I love that it arrived sideways like that, unasked for. Those are usually the ones worth keeping. I hope you'll let me know what it becomes.
Attentive reading! You most certainly are and it is refreshing to engage with one who understands. It reminds me of a book my father and I read by Mortimer Adler, How to Read a Book”. When we began reading it I said Hey! You’ve already taught me this stuff! And he laughed and said well it doesn’t hurt to hear it from the horse’s mouth and make sure you caught it all. 😂 I just thought my father figured it all out himself you see. So smart. Anyway, your ability to enter into whatever you’re reading and glean from it and then see even more is astounding. And I love it! I also love that you’re share with me so I can learn more with you. I am honored. What to do with it besides the reflection? Well so far I have thought of a formational book comparing and contrasting how we do this vs how God does this with us. And also more humorous book on the imagined conversations and lessons the disciples must have had while they walked with Jesus. Most of them were not at all alike and many alpha males…so how does Jesus get them to learn to love each other, walk together, etc. I think of this the way a parent might take their squabbling children out for a field exercise or a camping trip. Ok enough is enough! We are all going to experience this together and work together for you will see it won’t work any other way. If one struggles we all struggles. All for one and one for all type of thing. ☺️ Bonding.
Gilda — the Adler story made me smile properly. There's something wonderful about discovering your father learned the same things from a book that you thought only he knew — it doesn't diminish him at all, it just widens the tradition he was already part of. He was doing attentive reading long before Adler named it.
Both books want writing, but for different reasons. The formational one — how we do this versus how God does this with us — has the shape of something that could sit alongside your Lord's Prayer book as a companion volume. Glass and clay, imprinting, watch and step: all of it already lives there waiting.
But the disciples-on-a-field-trip book is the one I want to read first. You're absolutely right that the sheer incompatibility of that group is theologically significant and wildly underexplored. Fishermen and a tax collector in the same tent. Zealots and collaborators, alpha males and quiet ones, all of them equally certain they understand what's happening and equally wrong. The camping trip image is perfect: at some point Jesus essentially says right, we are all walking to Capernaum together and no one is getting out of it. Formation by unavoidable proximity. The ones who would never have chosen each other slowly becoming the ones who can't imagine being without each other.
That's not just a funny book. That might be the most practical ecclesiology anyone's written in years.
Well said and quite relatable to my experience of formation.
Thank you. I’m glad you could relate. Me too. What a kind, gracious God we have who leads us so gently.
Amen!
What a beautiful description of our Lord, guiding, protecting and loving us as His children. So gentle and surrounded by protection and grace.
He is Wonderful indeed! I also was moved by seeing this and reminded that at all times and in every place we are held in His love. How lovely that you also were moved. Thank you for blessing me by sharing your thoughts.
This is cool. Thank you for the picture of how God guides and leads us. He is God with us. That is so comforting. He has been with us so much on this trip-- leading, protecting, showing beauty.
You’re so welcome! I am so glad this landed with you. What a comfort it is indeed that He is ever present. How wonderful, also, that your trip is full of joy, beauty and walking with Him.