Published 25 Oct 2024
Staying in touch
With one another and with ourselves
A blog post Women Scholars and Professionals
Many of us wait for that epic moment — getting accepted into your top school, or being chosen for the position, or landing a big opportunity. But after the cake is eaten and the balloons have deflated, what does it look like to embrace a significant life change? Author and therapist Anna Christine Seiple writes of the inner journey she undertook when she moved to Scotland for a long-desired graduate school program. Anna’s reflections on what she brings with her and what she leaves behind — both physically and emotionally — invites us into clarity about those things that are most important to us.
“Saying yes to the opportunity to move across the world and pursue this degree required that both my husband and I leave behind so much more than our stuff. And as we settle into this new place, I’m realizing each day that we brought a lot more with us than what I originally thought we packed. ”
For some of us, we’re not the ones doing the leaving — rather, we’re called to remain in one place even as others move. The practice of staying can bring its own gifts and heartbreaks. We’re reminded of this piece by Andrea Bridges in which she suggests a few strategies for openness and flexibility when our communities keep changing.
On either side of this equation, we’re just ordinary people longing for connection with one another. God designed us this way, and it is good — although sometimes painful. What might God be inviting you to do in order to build or deepen your relationships, both near and far?
“This seems to be the hazard of living in a university town — people come and go. And, truly, this is good. I am lucky to meet interesting people who are kind, who like books and trying new restaurants, who invest in our church or our neighborhood, who happen to have jobs — callings from God even — that involve moving to the work. But making friends gets more complicated as we get older.”
You’re Invited!
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Chat with the author of this season’s book club selection! Join Women Scholars and Professionals on Monday, November 11 at 9 pm (eastern) for an interview with Miranda Zapor Cruz, author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. We hope you register today!
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Downloadable Pocket Prayer Card from Graduate Healthcare Ministries. Medical students at Brown asked for a small resource that would prompt them to pray throughout the day. Colleague Renee Nicholas created this card with psalms and short prayers to support them — and you’re invited to use it too! Thanks, Renee!
Calling All Scientists! The American Scientific Affiliation is hosting their Winter Symposium on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT. The topic is "AI & Christianity" and features speakers Joanna Ng and Rosalind Picard. Register for this online event here.
Save the Date: February 21-22, 2025 for Believers in Business. As the largest Christian MBA gathering in the country, the 2025 Believers in Business Conference is a key intersection of the Christian MBA and Christian professional communities. Mark your calendars to join them in New York this February!
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