Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Guilt

Not all the guilt we feel is ours. Often enough, we feel guilt because it gives us some sense of control over something that seems terrible to us. Then, if can only atone in some way....

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Fragile

Families handled grief in all kinds of ways, but fragile irritability was often the first stop. That is, after numb shock.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Shame

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17 (NRSV)

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Homeless

She noticed the sticky note on the mirror, as she always did, and though the words were not from her religion, it was still comforting to know the woman who had opened her home to her was god-fearing.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Mourn

You're not gone you're still here With me all the time You're still here When I close my eyes I still see you I still feel you Dianne Warren, Still Here

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Needy

It seemed as though it took all her strength to knock loud enough to get through the pounding music. God. Maybe it was a prayer.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Jealousy

She could still feel the jealousy, curling around her body, a restless snake, making her nauseous, prickling down her spine. Stifling a sob set another tight wave of pain even through her aching body.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Hurt

He had been so eager to show off that afternoon, taking his bike over to his lover’s place. He could feel his face grow hot with the shame of it, his chest begin to ache.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Distress

She ducked her head down. He did not need her crying, he needed her hope, her can-do, he needed the mamá who had cheered at all his home games, who had thrown him a giant party when he graduated, who made over every new job.

Joanne Guarnieri Hagemeyer Saturday Devotion

Pressure

There was a chorus of "dad! dad!" from inside, then the snick of the lock and the door yanked open. They threw themselves on him, knocking his phone down as he patted their heads,