Learning to trust ourselves
and women in general
“Learning to trust ourselves—to learn and discern and pray, but ultimately trusting that God is active and at work within us—often will speak things that are contrary to what we’ve been told. It’s often hard and it feels lonely and scary when you’re breaking that down, but the other side is always worth it because you’re with God. It’s a place of deeper communion with God and with your true self.”
This is something I said during my Baker Book House virtual event with author Beth Allison Barr (The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth) and ooofta has it been true for me. If you too are rewilding your own life, perhaps you could have written those words yourself.
Beth and I had a delightful discussion spanning Medieval religious imagery, critique of patriarchy, a shared love for the maternal nature of God, and also lots of laughs. Our conversation centered on women in the Church and you can watch the replay below.
Did you know…
November is Native American history month AND Black Catholic history month. What an opportunity to learn and expand our perception of the world and empathize with the experience of others! As a parent, I’ve found that learning and growing alongside my children is a bonding way to not only be a part of their education but also keep me accountable to not grow complacent in doing the inner work that justice requires. Here are some book suggestions you could study with your child:
Saints Like Me (0-5 yrs)
We are Still Here! (6-10 yrs)
Birchbark House (8-12 yrs)
Native Americans in History (8-12 yrs)
African Saints, African Stories (10+ yrs)
We are Beloved: 30 Days with Thea Bowman (12+ yrs)
Birth of a Movement: Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church (14+ yrs)
My local independent bookstore is helping me orchestrate getting YOU personalized copies! Just visit this page on their website, fill out your form with how you want the book personalized, and I’ll go sign it, personal message included, and Dog-Eared Books will ship it to you or your loved one (Christmas gift alert!). This bookstore does MANY incredible things for our community so I am thrilled to be able to support them in this way.
Advent is almost here!
Advent is my absolute favorite time of year, and it will be here before we know it! (I’ll personally be using this devotional and this meditative reflection if you’re looking for resources.) This year it was my joy to write an original children’s book for my friend’s brilliant idea: Mary on the Mantel, from Be a Heart, is essentially a Christian version of Elf on the Shelf. (Think: instead of a creepy elf spying on and judging you worthy or not, Mary is nesting around the house for baby Jesus’ arrival and encourages you to spread love and kindness with a specific task each day.)
You can get the Mary on the Mantel bundle at Be a Heart, and while you’re there check out her other holiday offerings as well. I have already ordered the Advent wreath, candles, and wrapping paper myself! Use the code Shannon10 to get 10% off your total order (free shipping over $95 which is all too easy to hit).
Grace and peace and gorgeous fall weather,
Shannon