I so look forward to having this difficult dialogue with you!

I’m glad you’ve posted these study notes so I have some questions to help me better qualify what’s going on in my mind and soul as I’m reading. I notice that the actual discussion on these posts has waned as you’ve gone farther into the book – I plan on doing my best to give you some good comments on future posts.

I see myself and some, but not all, women I know to be fiercely loyal and capable of immense love and sacrifice. Some of this came to me in motherhood, but much of it was always there. I can truly say I would die for my family and my friends if necessary. I love deeply and forever and I empathize maybe a little too well. I’m the person people go to when they need an understanding ear or a shoulder to cry on. My friends know I am always there for them. I think these are all wild woman traits, though I’m still learning to balance caring for myself as well.

I was recently in an unfortunate situation that led to a dangerous violent situation and was stunned in retrospect when I realized that of the group of roughly half a dozen people I was with, both men and women, I was the ONLY one to jump up and see if anyone was hurt or in danger when trouble came. Even before I began reading WWRWtW I thought of this as the mother wolf coming out in me, fearless in the face of need and danger.

It’s not always that dramatic of course, sometimes it just the small act of going without milk in my tea so my daughter can have her morning glass of milk if we’re running low. I think many of these characteristics boil down to a lack of selfishness on our part in our very selfish and self-centered modern world.

And oh! the lists upon lists of symptoms. It seemed to go on and on and on, painfully so for me. About midway through the first paragraph I was nodding and thinking, “Yes, yes, I know I’m messed up and fearful and full of horrible self-doubt! I know I need to fix this! I know I deserve to treat myself better than I do! Help!” I come from a severely dysfunctional background and have spent years in healing and therapy. In some ways it’s amazing I’ve made it this far. But I’ve still got such a very long ways to go. You’re right, this is very deep work, but I’m ready for it.

As a writer I revere and hold the power of The Story in great regard. To me, the stories we share tell more about us than anything else we can say about ourselves. The stories that resonate in our souls give us a glimpse of our truest, highest natures. What’s more, they give us hope and healing when all other methods fail.

Hope I don’t overwhelm you with responses as I catch up!

It makes sense that our souls are searching for, not just freedom, but vocation, because it seems that in vocation we’re doing that which we are called by God to do. But certainly, I know in my life, when I’m not where God wants me to be – physically, spiritually, emotionally – I do feel stuck. I’m getting unstuck now. Dr. Estes’ book is helping with that.

I’m going to have to look up Dr. Wimberly’s work…

Thank you Kimberlee!

In the past I have had more than my share of feeling “powerless, shaky, blocked, self-conscious, shame-bearing…” and the like–brought on by my acceptance of blame and situational responsibility projected upon me (p. 10). But now my Wild Woman is alilve and well and living in me again.

I also appreciate the story-approach as the anecdote for reclaimation. And, I am reminded of an incredible professor under whom I studied in seminary. Dr. Anne Streaty Wimberly, Chair of the Department of Christian Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA wrote a book called “Soul Stories” where she introduces a method for educating adults (African-American Christians-specifically) called the story-lilnking process.

She suggests that our soul’s are searching for liberation and vocation. “Globally, [our] deep inner yearning for lilberation is [our] desire to experience [our]selves as whole or moving toward wholeness.” (Wimberley, p. 20). Through a story-linking process we reflect on positive and problematic contemporary stories and create vital links between the stories and our personal experience.

In the same manner, I look forward to our journey with Dr. Estses.