A New Era of Quiet Devotion

I was very hesitant to join because I was already wavering in my association with the church. I was just overwhelmed with everything our movement is going through that I felt numb every time I thought about it. I didn't want to confront certain realities. I'm realizing with my counselor that I am a very avoidant person and when I'm overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions, I feel numb. I knew this gathering was going to be overwhelming.

What I really appreciated was how the content was structured — the earlier sessions gave us so much thoughtful preparation and reminded us of why we need to grow as a movement. Without that foundation, I would have shut down and not wanted to listen to another word.

From the Q&A session, I recognized that this is a new era, and True Mother [Holy Mother Han] wants us to focus on our relationship with Heavenly Parent. Being in leadership positions before, I was so used to a spirit of intense urgency — I only felt like I was contributing if I lived up to that intensity. But this is a new era. Right now my capacity is to wake up, make my bed, dress up nicely, and try my best to be True Mother's [Holy Mother Han's] representative in my day-to-day life — and that is not anything less. True Mother [Holy Mother Han] and Heavenly Parent love me and are proud of me.

Thank you for a needed weekend.

— J.v.G.