What We Find in the Dark

AND in A Map to Paradise! (Join us?)

Friends!

I did a little happy dance for MARCH before I sat down to write you today. At last, it’s Spring Equinox month, when our planet will lean us into more day than night.

Good news for us who have been living in the dark for a while.

The new season’s a reminder that good can emerge from that dark.

The sort of good Aubrey Sampson writes about. “You are healing even as you are hurting,” she says in her new book What We Find in the Dark, where she leads readers both into, and out of, the abyss of loss.

I consider this book powerful because it’s not a formulaic “how-to” on grieving. Instead, it’s an experiential guide through blinding darkness. Sampson’s intimate chronology of her bone-aching sorrow roused pockets of my own unfinished griefs. And in her voice-giving of raw pain, her tender acceptance of it, and the grace she offers for the process of healing, my own heartaches mended a bit more.

This book brought me to the very best of tears.

***

Here’s the gist of What We Find in the Dark:

None of us is exempt from loss. We lose what we expected, what we thought we believed, our sense of security or identity. We lose friendships. We lose people we love.
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What do we do with the disruption, disorientation, and devastation of loss? How do we survive unpredictable grief, ongoing suffering, and the questions about God that happen in the dark nights of our lives? In What We Find in the Dark, author and pastor Aubrey Sampson writes through the illness and death of her best friend, offering raw, real, and fought-for spiritual wisdom and practical insights for loss, grief, and doubt. What We Find in the Dark not only helps us locate ourselves on the journey of loss but gives honesty, hope, and direction for what’s ahead.

What We Find in the Dark includes:

• Authentic and resonant stories and insights,

• Compelling and powerful “sticky statements” that encapsulate transformative concepts,

• Reflective practices and exercises.

None of us want to be in seasons of sorrow. But sometimes the dark nights of life and faith have strange gifts. On the other side, we find ourselves free from the superficial in our lives. We discover peace and the assurance that we are loved. And we experience a deeper, more honest relationship with the God we found in the dark. But until that time comes, you do not need to journey alone. Learn to walk through the darkness while holding onto hope.

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What We Find in the Dark releases April 8, but you can preorder it now.

If your heart’s calling for more like this, on Tuesday, March 4, Aubrey will launch her What We Find in the Dark PODCAST, where ”we unpack what we find in the dark—whether that is a dark night of the soul, disillusionment, disappointment, or deep grief. In each conversation, we offer glimmers of light, hope, and healing.”

Learn more HERE.

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And now a few reminders of how seasons—whether of mind, heart, or the earth itself—always pass.

Because ice melts.

Storms subside.

". . . I watch over my word to accomplish it.”

—Jeremiah 1:12

***

Outside, at this very moment, migrating tree swallows chitter, swarming our nest boxes before they fly farther north. Soon others will follow and settle here.

Everywhere, migrators are setting out from their overwintering—some in Vs . . . and Bs.

B . . .For blessing?

"From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace."

—John 1:16

***

Leafless trees await those birds like lovers, their limbs yet unclothed, their shelter an intimate refuge and rest.

“The king has brought me into his chambers.”

—Song of Solomon 1:4

***

Spring. Can you see it yet? Hear it? Smell it? Wherever you are, I’d love to hear.

📙 📙 📙 Meanwhile, BOOKISH NEWS:

YOU'RE INVITED!!

If you’re anywhere near LYNDEN, Washington on Tuesday March 18, BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN MEISSNER and I will chat about her brand new book A MAP TO PARADISE—releasing that very day!

JOIN US in Lynden Library's Gathering Room at 6:30 pm to meet this warmhearted novelist—and hear her talk about her stories, her writing process, and whatever you choose to ask her.

With over a million books in print, Sue's beloved to readers worldwide, and many, many of you have her critically-acclaimed books on your shelves.

She'll be happy to sign your copies—or the ones you buy from Village Books at this free event.

Hope to see you there. To save your spot, REGISTER HERE: https://wcls.libcal.com/event/13514467

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GIVEAWAYS, OLD AND NEW:

Last month’s giveaway WINNER of a hard cover copy of Leaning on Air is

STEPHANIE H!

Congrats, Stephanie! Please reply with your postal address and I’ll send the book right off to you.

And now a NEW GIVEAWAY for you SUBSCRIBERS:

Leaning on Air’s AUDIOBOOK!

Reply with AUDIO in your subject line anytime during the month of March, and I’ll add your name to the hat! We’ll pluck the winner the evening of March 31, and I’ll announce who won in my next Saturday Letter.

WRITING UPDATE: Foxes is coming along, albeit more slowly than I’d hoped this month. I wish I could say I’d been working intently on the story the whole time, but I lost my brain somewhere under all the furniture we moved in order to replace and refinish flooring. Didn’t find it again until a few days ago.

And then we had to pick paint colors.

Hoo boy. I’m reminded why we haven’t done this for decades.

(What’s your favorite white/off-white paint—for interior trim?)

‘Nuff said. Until we correspond next, I’m trusting that springtime is rooting for all of us. (Aren’t you releaved?)

Love,

Cheryl

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