snowy solid ground (erin jean warde)
May you — wherever you are — know the peace of feeling like you are on solid ground, feeling whole in body and soul, and feeling remembered not neglected.
snowy solid ground
I write to you from a very snowy Nashville! I also write to you out of a deep dense of gratitude.
Months and months ago, I made plans to go to Boston this past weekend, to preach at my friend’s church. My visit was lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends, staying at a gorgeous ocean front AirBnb, preaching at a lovely church, and more.
The problem, of course, was the winter storm brewing back here in Nashville. Never in my life did I think I’d barely make it home to Nashville from Boston because of the snow storm in… Nashville. But here we are.
Quickly following preaching — with a day of exploration planned, since my flight wasn’t until close to 7:00pm — I decided to check my flight status. I was shocked to see it was already cancelled! I didn’t expect a cancellation *seven hours* before I was supposed to take off!
Thankfully, my friends got to work, figuring out other options for me. The fear wasn’t just that I’d end up another night in Boston. The fear was that I might not be able to make it home until closer to Thursday. And, as you know, I have 3 gorgeous cat babies that need their mother.
They were able to cancel my flight, get a refund, and get me on a quicker flight home.
I GOT THE LAST SEAT.
I was able to get home, come hell or high snowfall. I remember the joy of feeling the plane’s wheels touch solid ground. Finally, I felt like *I* was on solid ground. Snowy ground, but solid ground.
Of course, I worried the whole flight home that I’d get there, but not have any way to make it home from the airport, due to snowy and icy roads. Again, thankfully, a kind Lyft driver made the trek to the airport, and safely — slowly! — trekked me to my apartment. The interstate looked like something from the zombie apocalypse shows I love.
I haven’t left my house since then, and I don’t plan to leave it until maybe… hopefully… Sunday?
I can’t begin to express to you how genuinely grateful I am. I was full of anxiety, but now I am safely home. I often think about how I am grateful for the things readily available to me, but there’s something about the narrow miss that intensifies the immensity of my thankfulness. I’m also holding tender how many people made it possible, and trying to think of them specifically when I feel my gratitude well up again.
Additionally, I’m aware that plenty of people are traveling right now, and it’s not going smoothly. So, this week, I’m praying for all travelers, because we could all use a few prayers when we travel, but the winter months only increase the need.
This week I’m praying two prayers I love from the Book of Common Prayer:
For Travelers — O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Health of Body & Soul — May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
And, as winter storms continue, my heart is also heavy for those who do not have homes. So, I am praying a third prayer I love, too.
For the Poor & the Neglected — Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May you — wherever you are — know the peace of feeling like you are on solid ground, feeling whole in body and soul, and feeling remembered not neglected. May we also be encouraged toward care for others, wanting for them the blessings we have received.
Love y’all,
EJW
Sermon — January 14, 2024 (Anchor Bay Church — Beverly, MA)
I had a delightful time preaching this past weekend, as you read above, at Anchor Bay Church! You can check out the worship & my sermon at the link below. The whole service is beautiful, so I encourage enjoying the fullness of their worship. However, if you’re struggling for time, my sermon begins at about the 53 minute mark.
Spiritual Healing with Joy and Purpose — February 10, 2024 (St. James & the Urban Well — Lancaster, PA)
I’m so excited to return to Saint James & the Urban Well — I visited last year and love these sweet people!
This Saturday retreat will bring a fresh focus on recovery and healing accessed through prayer and rest. It will address issues we all face at times: feeling weighed down or discouraged, anxiety, despair, and even depression which can lead to unhealthy habits and choices. The day will explore attitudes and barriers to accessing joy and the power of meditation, prayer and other contemplative practices in our own healing.
This is available in person and on Zoom! Sign up today!
SOJOURNERS’ BEST BOOKS OF 2023
I’m floored to see my book — Sober Spirituality — on Sojourners’ list of Best Books of 2023! Profoundly grateful to have my labor of love honored in this way. Thank you to everyone who has supported me & my book this year!
A huge gift you could give me is a review of Sober Spirituality on Amazon if you have read it! And you don’t have to buy it from Amazon to leave a review. Thank you in advance! <3