"I intend to be precious. I just don't have the skill set." Jen Hatmaker

I've met authors Glennon and Shauna and Bob and Don multiple times, but I've been waiting a couple years now to meet Jen Hatmaker. Tonight I finally got to see her speak in person in Indy at St. Luke's on her Moxie Matters tour with Nichole Nordeman. After reading her books, following her bible study and listening to hours of her podcast, it was so cool to see her there in the flesh, just like I'd imagined.

Session 1
Pain is one of our most excellent teachers. Tonight we're going to talk about rising back up.
The story of the Good Samaritan-- I think God told this story because pain in the common connection-- it's God's way of telling us something is wrong, it forces our attention, it's designed to protect us, lead us back to life and sometimes bring a new life.

After Brandon and I released our statement a year ago this week, we experienced a violent, terrifying reaction from our community. Rejection. Betrayal. Loss. Sorrow. 
Every single one of us will suffer on this earth. If you haven't suffered yet, just keep living. 

"God has poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit."

The only way through suffering is through it. God suffers with us for as long as it takes. The healthy way: lean in early and stay there till you really heal. 

Be kind to yourself in your grief. Surround yourself with the people and places that make you feel safe. When we're pressing towards recovery we've got to use every tool we've got. 
Prayer actually changes and heals our souls and minds-- it's been scientifically proven. It's biological and psychological and holy all at once. 

God can put broken pieces back together better than they were at first. 

Session 2

Good Samaritan part 2

Even worse than this man's physical pain was being alone on the side of the road. 

Loving God and loving others is worth 10,000 times more than self-righteous religion.

Let's clean up and care for people on the side of the road--it doesn't matter who they are. We can't pretend that we don't see each other.

In the middle of all the pain and grief that Brandon and I were experiencing last year, Nichole sent me this picture. 

In the wild, when a female elephant is giving birth or is injured, the rest of the female elephants will surround her, backs in, facing out. They'll fend off any predators in order to protect the mama and the new baby. They'll kick up dirt and make noise and say, "Don't even think about messing with her."

Then, when the new baby is born, they all trumpet in celebration of sisterhood and something beautiful that has happened. We have to have one another's backs. 

We take turns in the middle, we take turns being strong. Find your tribe. Surround them and be surrounded by them. 

There is no community like a community of women. You're going to make it. You're going to survive. Because you've got a God who loves you.

Let's be good neighbors to one another. 

p.s. Cass is the greatest Cadet Teacher of the year and she makes my 1:00-2:44 exponentially better every single day. Also, we tried out Indy Tacos today and it didn't even come close to comparing to Taco & Burrito place.