Transcript:

Welcome to writing as a spiritual practice. 

Whether you consider yourself a writer or rarely take the time to write things down, writing can be a helpful place for us to get in touch with the deeper longings within our hearts. Writing can help us process complex emotions and help us express meaning to the lives we are living. Author Henri Nouwen says “...Quite often, a difficult, painful, or frustrating day can be redeemed by writing about it. By writing, we can claim what we have lived and integrate it more fully into our journeys. In this way, writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others too.”

Let’s begin writing.

Take some time right now to express your inner thoughts on paper. Think back on the day-- what experiences or people were life-giving, and what experiences or people were life-draining? What brought about consolation or desolation, feelings of nearness to God or distance from God? Connection to yourself and others, or disconnection from yourself and others?

Don’t be afraid to write out whatever comes to mind. Don’t manage how you write, or what you write-- feel free to bare your soul before God who “knows all things” and “holds all things together” for you. Express your sorrow, burdens, joys, and hopes freely. 

If it’s helpful, imagine Hagar’s interaction with God in Genesis 16. Find yourself in the questions God asks Hagar, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” 

“Where have you come from, and where are you going?”

As you answer these questions, know that Hagar’s declaration of God extends to you, “You are the God who sees.” God sees you and is with you. Amen.

Today's spiritual life podcast features Pepperdine Student leaders and members of the Student Wellness Association Board (SWAB). Listen in as Sara asks Seaver students, Giuliana Golon, Amanda Fricker, and Morgan Clinton to reflect on their experiences with SWAB at Pepperdine and what it means to engage the spiritual as part of wholistic health.

Today's spiritual life podcast features four Seaver College seniors. Listen in as Sara asks students, Caroline Sisson, Matthew Pastor, Jared Lee, and Allison Lee to reflect on their spiritual lives and how they are processing recent interruptions to their senior year. 

Jennifer Berry Hawes shares remarkable testimonials from the 2015 shooting at  Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Hawes recalls conversations with the three surviving victims and discusses her book, "Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness.”

Jennifer Berry Hawes works on the newspaper's Watchdog and Public Service team focusing on investigations and long-form narratives. She has worked on the newspaper's staff for 15 years covering religion, healthcare and other beats. Hawes led the newspaper's coverage of the Emanuel AME Church massacre and published a book about the tragedy with St. Martin's Press entitled, "Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness."