Thank you Sunita. I have a 9yo daughter with PDA and I will share this with her. She will love it. But you know what, I think because of your PDA, you bring a gift to the table - actually shining a light on truth that everyone needs to know in their hearts. Our relationship with the LORD is about connection and you’re right, He is flexible and has open arms for us. What a great reminder for us all, to run to Him and worship Him with creativity, movement, liturgy, voice.. however!
Thank you for sharing! I love the emphasis on worship as connection, not conforming. I also think it's beautiful that you've still pressed into faith and community and learned to appreciate liturgy even when it didn't come naturally at the beginning. I can tell you are a gift to those in your community.
I've found after working at a church for 10 years that attending worship services has been hard for me for different reasons, too. I've found it more worshipful to be alone, in my car singing or cooking in the kitchen, or any number of things.
"As I explored and read the Bible, it became clear to me that God is not in the business of imposing arbitrary, rigid expectations. He is a loving Father who meets us where we are." This really resonated with me! Thank you so much for sharing.
“When worship feels like another demand, another thing we have to do the “right” way, it becomes suffocating rather than freeing.” Yes! In a similar way, OCD attacked my faith and I can relate to this sentiment a lot.
“And for my brain, knowing that I’m free to choose actually makes it easier for me to choose my faith.” Yes and yes again.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I can sense there is so much unspoken struggle, anguish even, in this journey. I am grateful you have persevered to find a way to worship that works for you. This is a guiding light and permission slip to many who may be struggling 💛
Sunita, I always love your openness about your journey. It has helped me understand so much better what neurodivergent individuals go through, & your thoughts challenge believers to think through how we can love one another in different ways. I also really loved the line "We start by recognizing that worship is not about conforming. It’s about connection." - so true about our walks with the Lord! Thank you for sharing!
This line, "Peace, at its core, is not about the absence of struggle but the presence of something greater, something that can hold and heal the struggles." is gorgeous and really struck me today! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing...so helpful to get an inside view to how faith and neurodivergence can still integrate.
Thank you!!
Thank you Sunita. I have a 9yo daughter with PDA and I will share this with her. She will love it. But you know what, I think because of your PDA, you bring a gift to the table - actually shining a light on truth that everyone needs to know in their hearts. Our relationship with the LORD is about connection and you’re right, He is flexible and has open arms for us. What a great reminder for us all, to run to Him and worship Him with creativity, movement, liturgy, voice.. however!
Yes! I'd love to hear what your daughter thinks if she's open to sharing.
Thank you so much for reading and for your kindness.
Thank you for sharing! I love the emphasis on worship as connection, not conforming. I also think it's beautiful that you've still pressed into faith and community and learned to appreciate liturgy even when it didn't come naturally at the beginning. I can tell you are a gift to those in your community.
Thank you so much for this, Kim. I hope I have been able to give something to my community. I've received so much love and support.
I've found after working at a church for 10 years that attending worship services has been hard for me for different reasons, too. I've found it more worshipful to be alone, in my car singing or cooking in the kitchen, or any number of things.
"As I explored and read the Bible, it became clear to me that God is not in the business of imposing arbitrary, rigid expectations. He is a loving Father who meets us where we are." This really resonated with me! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for your comment and for reading! If we are truly offering everything we have and do to God, then it all becomes worship.
“When worship feels like another demand, another thing we have to do the “right” way, it becomes suffocating rather than freeing.” Yes! In a similar way, OCD attacked my faith and I can relate to this sentiment a lot.
“And for my brain, knowing that I’m free to choose actually makes it easier for me to choose my faith.” Yes and yes again.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I can sense there is so much unspoken struggle, anguish even, in this journey. I am grateful you have persevered to find a way to worship that works for you. This is a guiding light and permission slip to many who may be struggling 💛
Yes, I still want to connect and talk about our brains and faith and writing! Thank you for reading and connecting, Aly!
Yes! I would love to cash in that rain check soon and chat about all the things!
Thank you so much for this. It’s so helpful to hear about PDA from people who have lived, personal experience. Thank you.
I'm so glad it's helpful. Hoping to pivot to write more about this
Sunita, I always love your openness about your journey. It has helped me understand so much better what neurodivergent individuals go through, & your thoughts challenge believers to think through how we can love one another in different ways. I also really loved the line "We start by recognizing that worship is not about conforming. It’s about connection." - so true about our walks with the Lord! Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Connection is such a central part of my faith experience - and it's central to how I parent, too.
This line, "Peace, at its core, is not about the absence of struggle but the presence of something greater, something that can hold and heal the struggles." is gorgeous and really struck me today! Thank you!
Thank you!!!!