SIMPLY GRACE Now FALL 2022
We moved into our new office space in September and it is perfect! We started praying about this potential change over a year ago. Our desires were placed on a blessing list and we have checked all the boxes. GOD IS SO GOOD! Thanks to all of you that also prayed about this. Financial supporters, thank you!
Ken & Debbie
HOLDING SPACE WITH GRACE
“What does it mean to hold space for someone else? It means that we are willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgment and control.
To truly support people in their own growth, transformation, grief, etc., we can’t do it by taking their power away (i.e., trying to fix their problems), shaming them (i.e., implying that they should know more than they do), or overwhelming them (i.e., giving them more information than they’re ready for). We have to be prepared to step to the side so that they can make their own choices, offer them unconditional love and support, give gentle guidance when it’s needed, and make them feel safe even when they make mistakes.”– Heather Plett
“To hold means to embrace or encircle someone or something in your grasp. Physically, this might take the form of a hug or the cradling of a hand in yours. But you can also embrace someone non-physically with your intention, attention, and energy. Space refers to the immediate environment you are sharing with another. This, too, may be the physical space of a room, but more frequently refers to the mental and emotional environment you are in with others. Put together, these words embody the principle of surrounding the environment with your awareness in a way that provides comfort and compassion for all.” – Chopra.com
“Holding space for another person means to grant room for that person’s soul to come out of hiding. To paraphrase author Parker Palmer, often our souls are like wild animals and need to feel safe in order to show up.” – Julie Commander
“Holding space is a form of attunement, or the ability to be aware of our own state of mind and body while also tuning in and connecting to another person. Attunement is the ability to connect with someone, not only at a thought level but on a gut and emotional level too. It’s being able to stay in tune and in sync with both the feelings of others and one’s own feelings — not just in a single moment of understanding or empathy but over time, during the unpredictable twists and turns of an interaction.” – Edward Brodkin
The apostle Paul lays out these simple instructions in Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
“The Psalms are, in a sense, God’s way of holding space for us. They invite us to rejoice, wrestle, cry, complain, offer thanks, and shout obscenities before our Maker without self-consciousness and without fear.”― Rachel Held Evans
“Healing happens when we hold space with people. Compassion helps us lean in with our ears and get comfortable with the dead air. It’s difficult. Sometimes I don’t see the ‘right’ in it. Then Jesus gives a little nudge. This isn’t about me. This is about my friend. What does she need?
Let me squeeze into this crawl space with her and see the circumstances from where she sits. Instead of calling her out of this place, I just need to climb in.” -Trisha Keehn
