Tending to our hearts
Building resilience in times of joy and struggle
How are you holding up? The month of May brings a new set of stresses for many of us as we juggle end-of-semester tasks with end-of-school-year celebrations — not to mention the everyday care and feeding of self and others. This month also honors mental health awareness, an aspect of health that we all need to attend to in our different seasons. Sara Carroll Johnson writes of her experience as a clinical psychology graduate student and suggests developing skills to support one's own mental well-being. How might God be inviting you to tend to your mental health in this season?
“Just as we are called to show mercy and compassion to others who suffer, we must also direct that same tenderness to our own selves and open our hearts to healing, attending to our own mental health needs and seeking help when we need it.”
This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day — a day of joy for those with positive experiences around motherhood, but a day of sorrow for those who have painful feelings around mothers and mothering. We’re reminded of Tish Harrison Warren’s tender writing on her grief-filled season as she experienced two miscarriages and the loss of her father all within the space of six months. The act of caring for others opens us to the risk of sadness and loss — and yet we pray that the joy of relationships makes this all worthwhile. So for all of us — mothers, daughters, and those with sorrow around these words — may God bless your caring heart and nurture you with the tenderness of the best kind of mother.
“I am seeing that there is no place of suffering to which God might send us where beauty, grace, and blessing can’t reach. With each new sorrow, moments of beauty still turn up. They seep in. They find me. The hope of the resurrection persists. And so does the goodness of God in the small moments of my day.”
A note. If you head to The Well, you might notice a few little things that are different about our website — including a new landing page for Women Scholars & Professionals!
While we’re in the middle of some behind-the-scenes construction, some website features might be on the blink — so let us know if you have trouble finding anything. In the meantime, any new content will be posted here on our Substack page. Thanks for your patience with us!
You’re Invited!
Our online 30-minute guided prayer meetings happen on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern). Can’t come? We will pray for you anyway — send your prayer requests by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org. The academic year is winding down and we will take a summer break as well. Our last day for prayer together will be May 15.
Join us this summer as we read and discuss Redeeming Eden: How Women in the Bible Advance the Story of Salvation (Ingrid Faro with Joyce Koo Dalrymple, Zondervan 2025). Click here for details and registration.
Attend the ICCTE Conference on May 26-29, 2026 in San Diego! The International Christian Community for Teacher Education (ICCTE) hosts a biennial conference, allowing for scholarly exchange, fellowship, and networking opportunities for Christian teacher educators and for those who are in related fields. Registration closes on May 15.
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Four More Things We Loved This Week
Eating May Truly Boost Your Immune System Cells, According to a New Study
Sandra Glahn shares the interview with Eugene Peterson that taught her about Sabbath.
Why Eating Dinner Outside Once a Week Is So Good for Your Mental Health
Ina Garten’s suggestion for Mother’s Day: make it a party and come dressed as your mother!