Lauren Cibene

“Why did you leave the church?” Because the house was on fire, and when the house is on fire, you run. The house is still on fire.

“Profound sadness comes after profound love.” – Mark Gregory Karris. If you’re grieving faith loss, it’s because you loved deeply.

God isn’t just Father. God is Mother, too. She is a midwife. She is a mother hen. She is a mama bear. She is a nursing mother. The Divine Feminine is everywhere in scripture.

You can’t outrun your questions forever. They will find you. Best to sit down and make them tea.

To untangle your faith gently is an act of love. Don’t rush it. Rushing only makes the knots tighter.

The gospel isn’t a country club concept for the rich, powerful, and perfect. It is, and always has been, a way of life that centers love, humility, and justice.

“If you’re anxious, you’re almost hopeful. You’re so close.” – Søren Kierkegaard, via Nadia Bolz-Weber. Maybe anxiety is hope trying to get a word in.

When the things you’ve believed your whole life no longer feel solid, remember: it’s okay to grieve. You’re not losing God. You’re finding Her again.

I enjoy TikToks via Instagram and Tumblr via Pinterest. Like an adult.

Deconstruction isn’t about leaving God. It’s about leaving everything that tried to keep you from God.

“No one really teaches you how to grieve the loss of your faith.” Rachel Held Evans said that ten years ago, and yet here we are, still improvising our funerals.

Telling your story will bother people who have spent their lives burying the wounded parts of themselves. Tell it anyway. Set the bones.

Well, hello lovely.