As some of you know, I took a leave of absence from JwJ last month, to focus on some health issues affecting my family.  I want to thank everyone who emailed, prayed, and offered support during my time off.  Your kindness reminded me that I don't write in isolation; JwJ is a spiritual community.  Thank you for extending love and care during a difficult time.

I said I took a break to give my full attention to a crisis.  To be honest, I also took a break because writing felt impossible.  Impossible and pointless.  It's funny how quickly suffering returns me to my default settings; last month I suddenly began spouting things I no longer believe: that prolonged grief is not okay with God, that I shouldn't share my religious doubts and fears with other people, that writing isn't truly "Christian" unless it offers inspiration and uplift.

These things aren't true.  But sometimes they feel true, and the feeling can lead to paralysis.  Thankfully, some small part of me knows better — knows that God (and my readers) are not threatened by honesty, knows that Christ is just as present in my sorrows and struggles as he is in my joys.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've turned to writing to figure things out.  I write to discover what I don't yet know, to learn how I think and feel.  I started this column back in January because the shape of my spiritual life was changing, and I had a lot of discovering to do.  That continues to be true.  But it's also true that circumstances remain difficult.  So for now, The Eighth Day will appear less frequently — no longer once a week, but as often as "real life" will allow.  Again, I am thankful to all of you who have faithfully read what I write.  If the ups and downs of my journey with Jesus are an encouragement to you, then I remain both humbled and honored.

Image credit: Publicdomainpictures.net.