An Evening with Glennon Doyle Melton

If you've been around here a while, you must have figured out I love Glennon Doyle Melton. I can't even remember how long ago I discovered her, but I do know that what she writes and says is important and needs to be read. Her truth telling is my truth telling.

Back in October I got an email stating she would be speaking at St. Paul's Chapel in February. I didn't even think about it, I went directly to the link and bought myself a ticket. 

For many, many years I passed St. Paul's on my way to 140 West Street. It is sacred, holy ground. It has comforted thousands of people over the years. The pews wore out from the masses of first responders who took respite there after 9/11 and as a result, there are none. At night, they open the church to allow the homeless to sleep on the floor. Together Rising, G's not for profit, donated money for 500 meals last night.

My relationship with faith is always a giant question mark. Glennon's is an out in the open love affair with God because He loves her NO MATTER WHAT. I think my relationship with faith has gotten onto much stabler ground having found G.

Click on the picture for the book link

Glennon's writing is raw and powerful. I can't recommend her book enough. In person she is exactly the same, EXCEPT, you get to see her facial expressions and hear her voice as she tells her stories. She is mesmerizing.

Having read everything she's written and watched her TED Talk, I knew I could expect the greatness and it was all that and more.

For instance, in my words:

• Pain and grief are something to embrace, for out of pain there is usually some profound growth. Rather than push it away, take it in and feel.
• If we envy something, perhaps that is our inner compass pointing us to our true north of what we want to do with our lives.
• If our heart breaks about something, perhaps that is where we should put our energies to make our hearts break less.

Last night we had the honor of meeting Amanda Doyle, best known as Sister. At the end of her talk, a question from the audience showed us the grace that happens when you are both the addict and the person who loves the addict. Sister said (paraphrasing here) "...getting Glennon back was a miracle. I held space for her and when she was ready to come back, I could continue to love her."

I sat next to a lovely woman named Amy who also came solo. She is a mom of young kids, including a two year old who isn't sleeping through the night. She gifted herself a night in a hotel for a full nights rest. She was headed there after going to meet a dear friend.

If your favorite author comes to town and you get a chance to hear them, meet them, listen to them, as part of a collective group of humanity, do so.

I've been saying "Love Wins" for years. Last night, I got to meet the woman who lives it.

​xo

We believe Your love is the strongest way
You’re tearing down walls and You break our chains
Even in this darkness hope will rise again
When we lay down our weapons we will let love win

​https://youtu.be/SKWm0bGZlDU​