I’m not sure if this comment already posted because I seem to struggle with commenting 🙄, but I just wanted to thank you for your writing and say that I’m glad you’ve reached a place of peace. Spiritual transitions are so intense and chaotic sometimes, it’s nice when we settle into the new place spiritually. I look forward to more posts!
Such a wonderful post. You put some of my current thoughts to words beautifully. I was raised in the Catholic tradition. I was "saved" in college and have been attending Protestant churches since. I truly believe in the sovereignty go God, he is creator and invested in and loves me. I have not one ounce of me that questions that. But something has always felt distant. This past week we attended a Living Nativity at an historic Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. We have been doing some homeschooling with friends who are devout Catholic. (I venture to say pre Vatican II Catholic practices) As I walked into that Church I felt home. The beauty, the statues, the tabernacle, the sound of the bells at just the right places, the sense of reverence. My brain has been struggling for 30 years to understand how it is all wrong, the catholic bashing I have had to listen to, sorry I digress. I appreciate your words and I look forward to more posts, I am hoping to glean some resources I can use as I start to try to seek and find a deeper peace and relationship with God. I can't explain how I felt when I was at the living nativity, it wasn't a touchy feely experience but something deep in my soul that brought me to tears and peace I haven't felt in a very long time. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey.
Thanks, Tiffany! I'm so glad you're reading. I truly believe our modern hearts are restless and hungry for the Tradition that has been cast aside. May your journey be blessed!
I liked this post a lot. I, too, came from a Protestant background and became Orthodox - I was baptized in 2002, at the age of 23. I've been part of the "online Orthodox" since early 2002, and if you've ever come across the list of Orthodox blogs (well over 700 at last count) on OrthodoxWiki, that's mostly my work.
There are a number of "Becoming Orthodox" type blogs that are out there, and I think they serve an important purpose. However, like you, most get left behind at some point because when we take Orthodoxy seriously, we're moving toward something else, leaving the old understanding behind.
I'm hardly what you'd consider a feminist. However, I would encourage you, if you are a person who writes, to keep writing about the journey and your thoughts. The vast majority of Orthodox blogs written by women are about family/kids, crafts, or cooking. Blogging about these things isn't bad, not by a long shot, (I just posted a cake recipe a week and a half ago) but I think it's important that we have some (non-theological) representation of the journey.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Katja! Be assured that it means a great deal that you say this--I intend to keep writing. It is a vulnerable and sometimes terrifying proposition, but I will press on. I would love for the Accidental Pilgrim to be included in your list someday!
I love the title and how it connects with everything you discussed in the post. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts, Kelly! I pray you are having a blessed Nativity fast and have a Merry Christmas!
I’m not sure if this comment already posted because I seem to struggle with commenting 🙄, but I just wanted to thank you for your writing and say that I’m glad you’ve reached a place of peace. Spiritual transitions are so intense and chaotic sometimes, it’s nice when we settle into the new place spiritually. I look forward to more posts!
Thank you Lisa! You inspire me to keep going!
Such a wonderful post. You put some of my current thoughts to words beautifully. I was raised in the Catholic tradition. I was "saved" in college and have been attending Protestant churches since. I truly believe in the sovereignty go God, he is creator and invested in and loves me. I have not one ounce of me that questions that. But something has always felt distant. This past week we attended a Living Nativity at an historic Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. We have been doing some homeschooling with friends who are devout Catholic. (I venture to say pre Vatican II Catholic practices) As I walked into that Church I felt home. The beauty, the statues, the tabernacle, the sound of the bells at just the right places, the sense of reverence. My brain has been struggling for 30 years to understand how it is all wrong, the catholic bashing I have had to listen to, sorry I digress. I appreciate your words and I look forward to more posts, I am hoping to glean some resources I can use as I start to try to seek and find a deeper peace and relationship with God. I can't explain how I felt when I was at the living nativity, it wasn't a touchy feely experience but something deep in my soul that brought me to tears and peace I haven't felt in a very long time. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey.
Thanks, Tiffany! I'm so glad you're reading. I truly believe our modern hearts are restless and hungry for the Tradition that has been cast aside. May your journey be blessed!
I liked this post a lot. I, too, came from a Protestant background and became Orthodox - I was baptized in 2002, at the age of 23. I've been part of the "online Orthodox" since early 2002, and if you've ever come across the list of Orthodox blogs (well over 700 at last count) on OrthodoxWiki, that's mostly my work.
There are a number of "Becoming Orthodox" type blogs that are out there, and I think they serve an important purpose. However, like you, most get left behind at some point because when we take Orthodoxy seriously, we're moving toward something else, leaving the old understanding behind.
I'm hardly what you'd consider a feminist. However, I would encourage you, if you are a person who writes, to keep writing about the journey and your thoughts. The vast majority of Orthodox blogs written by women are about family/kids, crafts, or cooking. Blogging about these things isn't bad, not by a long shot, (I just posted a cake recipe a week and a half ago) but I think it's important that we have some (non-theological) representation of the journey.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Katja! Be assured that it means a great deal that you say this--I intend to keep writing. It is a vulnerable and sometimes terrifying proposition, but I will press on. I would love for the Accidental Pilgrim to be included in your list someday!
I love the title and how it connects with everything you discussed in the post. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts, Kelly! I pray you are having a blessed Nativity fast and have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you Drew! May your Nativity be restful and blessed!