17 Comments
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Melody Trowell's avatar

Oh, Tresta. My heart choked with a beautiful pang of pain and knowing at the idea of unanswered prayers being secret gardens, the gates of which we’ve yet to find. Stunning.

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Could you have written anything more heart filling and beautiful? I'm not sure. I just copied this link and sent it to my children, who are all in varying stages of waiting, watching and wonder. However, this is an encouragement for all of us.

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Tresta Payne's avatar

What a high compliment, Jody! I am honored you shared this with such special people. May we all wait and watch and wonder well, and be blown away once again by His goodness.

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Carol Longenecker Hiestand.'s avatar

i think i need to read this at least once a week. what you say about prayer is so relevant to me. thank you.

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Tresta Payne's avatar

Thank you, Carol. I'm so glad it spoke to you.

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Sheila Dougal's avatar

I love how you talk about prayer in this Tresta. The whole essay is beautiful, but what’s sticking to my bones is that there are many prayers I have sent into the void that I don’t see the answers to yet, but that doesn’t mean they won’t bloom.

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Tresta Payne's avatar

Yes. That’s the hope we hold on to, especially when we’re praying for a heart to soften ❤️

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Raindrops on Roses's avatar

This blessed me. Thank you! 🌷

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Ashlee Gadd's avatar

Beautiful, Tresta. Thank you for writing. I needed this today.

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Megan Hogg's avatar

Oof, this was so so good. THIS: "I have come back to mystery as my explanation because the explanations have come back cold and heartless." 100%

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Tresta Payne's avatar

Glad to have companionship 😉

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Kathy Gallagher's avatar

So delightful, and so relatable. It’s a “read more than once” kind of delicious camaraderie. Thank you!

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Danielle D.'s avatar

This is so beautiful, Tresta! I love the imagery of prayers- including the forgotten and "unanswered" ones- as a beautiful garden. Grateful for this encouragement and perspective today and wishing you and your family all the best in your liminal season. Also, that Emily Dickinson excerpt is hilarious! Thank you for sharing that! :)

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Tresta Payne's avatar

Thank you Danielle. Isn't that quote so accurate?!

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Jessica Hanke's avatar

I am really moved by this piece. Beautiful and encouraging! Thank you Tresta.

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Tresta Payne's avatar

What a blessing to hear that, Jessica.

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Mar 18
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Tresta Payne's avatar

"Imagine well and imagine good". I love that. And why not? If I can imagine the worst things, why not imagine the very very best? Thank you for sharing that, Lindsey.

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