Talking with her about a busy fall schedule and a concern that my own low-grade anxiety about it would affect my kids, my spiritual director said a phrase I haven’t been able to forget:
“What hurts children the most are the things that aren’t said. That’s why it’s so important to acknowledge them.”
Her encouragement to me was not to try to get rid of the anxiety or hide it from my children. Instead, she suggested I invite them into my life by admitting when I feel anxious and then showing them how I handle it. I pray, I take a little time out, I go for a walk.
It seems counter-intuitive, but in fact it’s rather freeing. This is what it means to teach them how to walk with Jesus and be a person.
Because what hurts them the most are the things that aren’t said.
The irony here is that my conversation with her happened on Monday which is the day I record my podcast episodes. This week, I was working on an episode about the power of naming, specifically how so often the simple act of naming something can bring forth life and healing to the same extent that not naming things can do the opposite.
When anxiety is allowed to remain a vague, un-named presence within us, so goes our hope.
Sometimes indecision is the result of a busy schedule or a hesitant personality. Other times it’s because something within us remains unnamed.
In this episode of The Next Right Thing, what a robocall and a New York chef have to teach us about the power of naming to help us take our next right step.
Links + Resources From This Episode:
- The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser
- Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle
- Chef’s Table Season One Episode Two
- The Next Right Thing Episode Two: Do This Before Every Hard Decision
- Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer
I’m Emily P. Freeman, writer, listener, and creative director.
I’m married to John, we have three kids, and live together in North Carolina. I’m also the author of four books including Simply Tuesday and A Million Little Ways.
Glad you’re here!
Keri Brown says
September 14, 2017 at 7:56 PMEmily, God continues to use your podcast to speak right to my heart! Thank you for being His messenger.
And unfortunately, getting several days behind on emails and podcast-listening means that I missed out on the daily audio devotion offer. 🙁 Any chance you’ll be making that (or something similar) available again in the future?
Beth Mayer says
September 14, 2017 at 9:07 PMThank you for your thoughts. I always want to sit down after each of your podcasts with my journal and reflect about what you said. You have a lovely, calming voice to listen to. Keep them coming for this worn out mom of seven. May God richly bless you in your endeavors.
Marie says
September 15, 2017 at 9:13 AMThank you for your wonderful reflections.
Darian Libauer says
September 15, 2017 at 9:13 AMThank you Emily for reminding me that trusting in the name of our loving God is the way to keep discovering my truest story. I am well into my 70’s and have eight grandsons….and I am still in the wonderful process of learning and growing. And your podcasts and quiet collections bring me so much encouragement. Such a peaceful space and my soul is indeed breathing and at rest. Love. D
emily p freeman says
September 15, 2017 at 9:14 AMI’m so glad to hear that, Darian. And I love hearing about your learning and growing process in your 70s. What a gift and an encouragement!
Debi says
September 17, 2017 at 3:48 PMThank you for waiting and listening and naming what our Lord has been saying to you….and teaching me how to do this too! These podcasts are so very encouraging!