#TreasuryofSmallBlogs, September 2014

This practice of seeking words from small bloggers is breaking me open. I've been weeping over your words, holding them close in the lonely night, nodding "yes-yes" as I read your heart, grateful for a sacred journey through your soul. Thank you for sharing your courageous, beautiful humanity. I am honored to host your precious words.  If your submission did not make this month's Top Ten, please try again next month. I read everything I receive. I will call for submissions on the last Friday of the month. If you missed this month's call for submissions, consider liking my Facebook page and following me on Twitter so you're ready for next month! Once again, thank you for sharing your writing with me. xo. EE.

I came home on a Thursday night, sat down at the kitchen table and gave him choices. Stay and get help, I said. Or pack a bag and leave. We know what he chose. For better or worse, the story ended. I loved him. I love him. And I know, deep down, divorcing him was the right choice. —Sidnie, “Pray and Scrub” Twitter: @sidniemiranda

One night in November 2011, I lost my grip on reality. I wanted to end my life. I wanted permanent relief. I couldn’t carry the weight of my failing marriage. I couldn’t handle being labeled something that was so contrary to everything I was before the diagnosis. I had nothing left. Realizing that these thoughts were not my own, as I am typically a happy and positive person, I checked into a hospital. —Kris Puckett, KrisPuckett.com Twitter: @krispuckett

Sometimes Scripture gets abused in the circles I run in. Sometimes it gets used as a weapon, or a rule book, or a primary source for arguments. I think I've let those tactics keep me away from the text, afraid of what I might do "on behalf" of the living and active Word...I read these hallowed words: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law," and I think about how much I don't want to do this. I don't want to translate the mother tongue of David's poetry into my measly musings. —Lacy Blaine, LacyBlaine.com Twitter: @lacyblaine

I feel compelled to speak; to add my voice to the great cloud of witnesses who have already spoken, that feminism is not only important, but biblically mandated. As a candidate for ministry, how could I not speak out against injustice, discrimination, marginalization, and reductionistic theology? —Jonathan Vanderbeck, Caffeinated Theology  Twitter: @jlvanderbeck

yesterday was your birthday only seven months too soon. On a pink full moon I felt your soul drift off to find the eastern eclipse sliding out the patio door and joining the long lines of misty clouds, souls searching for something more than this dusty spring yours is so small, almost lost in the cosmos exit lines a child who’s slipped his mothers grasp in the train station, you move on without us. —Definitely Not a Poet, Twitter: @defnotapoet

And then the baby was at your feet. She held a bag of lollipops she had gotten from the pantry. She looked triumphant. At one, she is utterly fearless and capable and she is ready to take on the world. This time, she had taken on the shelves and She.Had.Won. “No, no,” you murmured gently, “it’s too early for lollipops. We haven’t even had breakfast yet.” Undeterred, she thrusted the bag up. “POP!” she exclaimed, and the joy was almost palpable in her voice. —Jessie Leigh Smith, "Parenting Miracles" Twitter: @micropreemies

"As long as it's healthy"...that phrase terrifies me. Because we’re talking about our children — an arrangement that’s supposed to be unconditional — and "as long as they’re healthy" is alarmingly conditional. Everyone’s happy for a new baby and congratulations are in order — but only under certain criteria. If the baby doesn’t meet that criteria, well, all bets are off. All the congratulations vanish. Your support system bottoms out from under you. People start whispering. Doctors start talking about going in another direction. Changing the course of the pregnancy. Disrupting the pregnancy. Termination. Because, clearly, if your child isn’t picture-perfect, a SWIFT DEATH is preferable. —Sarah, "WifeyTini" Twitter: @wifeytini

Every time you negate or belittle the truth of depression, you’re piling on somebody. Debating mental illness and suicide with somebody who suffers with the disease is callous and cruel. Stop it. —Dean Simmer, DSimmer.com Twitter: @mojodean

Sharing what you’re going through with someone is crucial, sharing it with everyone is not. Your support system kicks in when they know you need help, but bombarding strangers with woes might make them feel uncomfortable. I try to judge what I am going to share on this criteria: will it interest or amuse people (this is particularly helpful with Facebook posts)? Will it help someone understand something about me that they need to know in that moment? Otherwise it’s probably whining, which I try to limit to my mom and significant other (lucky them!). —Margaret Felice, MargaretFelice.com Twitter: @margaretfelice

I remember the taste the feeling of nearness the rush of your spirit tingling as I was aware...

I remember oh creator are you done with me? has our journey come to a close? is it possible to join together once again?

—Hope Wood, Pursuing The Beauty Writings