Loosening the Knot

The knot. Right there at the base of my ribcage. A lot of things wrapped up and just feeling it right there.

That’s what I felt and saw in a reflection moment with my therapist a few weeks ago. The Knot.

With lots going on, the knot felt like a thing. In the weeks since, I’ve been praying about that knot and visualizing that knot slowly untangling. And into those prayers, came this one on Monday in an email newsletter written by my friend Rev. David Long-Higgins:

Grief’s Heavy Knot
O Love of Life,
Take this heavy knot
Of unbearable grief
And loosen its grip
On my saddened soul.

Untangle its hold
Bearing down
On everything
At every turn
In all directions.

Let Your promise
Made known in Christ
To lighten every burden
Visit me in this night
Of aching spirit.

Grant me just enough
Space to catch my breath
Sucked out by memories
Of unrealized hopes
Longing for a different
Arch to this unfolding
Story of interrupted life.

Yes, take all this
That is too much
Too heavy
And too tight
And loosen and lighten it
Just enough for me
To know Your present
Grace that holds and heals.

And let it be more
Than enough for today…

-DMLH, August 2026

I wish I could say that just reading and praying that prayer has untangled every thread of that knot (it hasn’t). But just the timing of it and then some moments on Monday and Tuesday have helped to at least pull a few threads loose. Tuesday specifically was a day that I felt such a tremendous difference from when I started the walk to the end. Just as muscles loosened as I walked (and Scout’s lightly arthritic front legs limbered), so the knot loosened. By the time I got to the “stars on the water” photos that you’ll see below, there was a radically different feel within. Maybe it wasn’t just the walk but also the progression of energy for the morning - starting early with my run, then weights, then the walk, and then wrapping up with yoga... who knows, but I am grateful for the loosening.

So here’s what I experienced along with a few other quotes that have spoken to me in recent days.

Sunrises

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.
Mary Oliver

Flowers

The two purple blooms looked like they were laughing or singing

Herons Galore

It was like Tuesday morning was a heron convention. These were just a few of many that were out on the water

A Random Heart

No I didn't get another tattoo but this was a tiny flake that stuck to my hand from the water bottle I take for Scout

In the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Kahlil Gibran

Spiderwebs Illuminated by the Dew and Rain

The first might need you to zoom in a bit - there was the gentlest amount of dew. The other two...a bit more obvious

A Glimpse of Autumn?

Note the tiny bit of color changes at the tip of the branch... an early hint of autumn to come?

Stars on the Water

These may be my favorites. No, these aren’t of the sky. They are looking down from a bridge to the water where whatever was on the surface was illuminated by the morning sun. But it looked like the brilliance of a perfectly dark night sky. Stars on the water.

And the Queen With her Sunrise Crown

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Thank you and welcome to the newest subscribers - free and paid - to Imago Scriptura but a special thank you to DS and KH for becoming paid subscribers. Again, I am humbled. Thank you.

A few reminders…

• Bestowals and Blessings - Any of these photos (and others) can be used for a custom blessing to be shared for you or someone in your life. Just let me know! Here’s more details of this.

• Ted Talks - MaryAnn and I just finished our second “Ted” Talk as we are talking through each episode of the new season of Ted Lasso. Next one will be Monday at 1pm ET.

• Theo of Golden - MaryAnn hasn’t won the golden ticket from her library waitlist so she hasn’t read the book yet so Wednesday at 11am ET, I’ll be doing a “solo” PCPH with special guest, Rev. Don Meeks! Check pcph.substack.com for more details.

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Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Ed

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