I’m writing about Jesus today on another blog. And about authenticity and asshattery. And especially about the profound lesson I learned from an atheist that changed the way I talk about who I am.
One of the things I love best about you, the people who hang out with me here, is the fact that you accept the Both/And life. Both the silly and the sacred. Both the magic and the mess. I love that you are people of all faiths and all backgrounds. I love that you are moms and dads and people-who-don’t-have-kids and that all of you — every last one — are very human and very divine. I love that you allow me the freedom to muddle my way through this life out loud. That you give me and each other unreasonable encouragement to live the best, most beautifully imperfect lives we can.
And because you are who you are, it would have been easier for me to write this piece and leave it here on my home blog. Talking about faith can be dicey, after all. Instead, I decided to take a wild leap and risk being authentic in a different venue. To risk asking some Real Questions that I hope garner Real Responses. To risk inviting other people into our Both/And world.
Will you join me there? In sharing our stories and inviting people in?
Like Shel Silverstein said, “Come in!”
If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer . . .
If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire,
For we have some flax golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!
……….
14 responses to “Authenticity, Asshattery, Faith and Fear”
[…] what wasn’t there, after all, because it turns out I’m not small or stupid — just human and divine like all of us, perfect and imperfect and learning to be the version of me that listens to joy and […]
I get the same error message on my Mac using Chrome as the browser, just and FYI on your link.
Can you repost this blog? When I follow the links, I get a 404 “File Not Found” message. I’d really love to read your thoughts — and I want to know what “asshattery” means!!
Christie, what browser are you using? They work for me in Internet Explorer 11, Chrome, and Firefox on Windows, and Chrome on Android. I don’t have an iPhone or Mac to try with, though.
It’s my job to make these things “just work” so I want to track down your problem. Also, though, today, there are some significant Internet troubles going on in general, which may be a factor.
If they still don’t work, change “putdowntheurinalcake” with “bethwoolsey” in the links, and that will work.
I get the same error message. I hear what you’re saying, but I’m running Chrome on an an Android phone. It automatically changes from the putdowntheurinalinthecake to bethwoolsely. I think there is confusion at least for me as to is this the post in its entirety (ending with Shel Silverstein poem) or is there more? Beth alludes learning a profound lesson she learned from an atheist and how it changes the way she talks or identifies with the way she is. And this was to be a post about Jesus. I am struggling with faith so I am trying to go and read all of her past entries in the hopes of gaining some insight. I have found what I have read this far refreshing, enlightening and funny. I would be much obliged if there is more to this entry, to be able to read it. Cheers!
Ah, the last two links go to a different site, where Beth had a guest post. Those links are broken. Apparently that site either changed the link or the post is no longer up. I’ll see what I can find out about that.
That site is no longer available, but Beth re-posted that article, with permission, here. I’ve also updated all the links to it from this and other blog posts to point to the repost on this site instead. Thank you for continuing to prompt us to fix it!
Totally love the word “asshattery”, and am going to get my own ass across there now (along with the rest of me) and savour your post 😀
Thanks, Fiona! It’s one of my faves, too. 😉
goes well with douchbaggery don’t you think?? and Fu**ery = )
I am a young wife in Virginia. I have a husband, a dog and a cat. We enjoy going to church and having friends from our lifegroup over for dinner or games. We do not have children and like Kathy, I read your blog everyday!! I laugh with you, rejoice with you and struggle with you. I hope that when we do have children we can make the joys and heartaches as real and honest as you do! Thank you!!
Thanks, Ashlee, for this rad comment. xo
I’m an agnostic in Madrid with no children, one husband and four cats, and I am completely addicted to your blog, think you are awesome and would love to take you out for wine, tapas and much deep and also pee-related conversation.
Just saying.
You rock.
I love this reply times one thousand, Kathy. And that tapas date? Right up my alley. Good food, good wine, great people, gross conversation. Perfect.