In my deepest moment of grief, God was there. My story of sitting with grief spans for over 30 years. I’m often asked how in the world did you make it through it. And the answer is God. Even when I was stuffing the grief, trying to hide it, ignore it and not deal with it, God was sitting with me. He never left me nor forsook me. He was with me even when I felt alone. Our God, our Emmanuel is always with us and even more amid our pain. In this episode of ‘Can You Just Sit With Me?’ podcast, I had the honor of sitting with guest Summer Gross, an Anglican priest, artist, and spiritual director, and author of ‘The Emmanuel Promise.’ We chat about how to sit with Grief and God, and themes from her book The Emmanuel Promise.
We discuss the importance of secure attachment in relationships with caregivers and God, exploring how attachment theory informs spiritual practices and personal growth. Summer shares her insights from leading spiritual retreats and groups that help individuals deepen their relationship with God. The episode concludes with Summer offering encouraging words about the ever-accessible and responsive nature of God’s love.
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God wants to be with you in the middle of what you’re walking through.
Summer Joy Gross
Drawing from the deep well of Scripture, attachment theory, and her own personal story, Summer Joy Gross invites you to experience Emmanuel, God-with-us, as the One whose love toward you is secure and unchanging. She teaches you simple, repeatable practices grounded in biblical teaching and our rich and ancient church traditions that will equip you day-by-day to build a secure attachment with the God who holds you in a sure hand. Get the book here.
Main Points
- Spiritual Direction and the Emmanuel Promise
- Attachment Theory and Its Impact
- Bridging Attachment and Spiritual Practices
- Importance of Secure Attachment with God
Episode Talking Points
- 00:00 Introduction and Book Celebration
- 01:03 Meet Summer Gross: Anglican Priest and Author
- 04:10 The Power of Presence and Spiritual Direction
- 07:09 Understanding Attachment Theory
- 20:37 Applying Attachment Theory to Spiritual Life
- 36:18 Encouragement and Final Thoughts
Other Ways to Listen to this Podcast with Summer Gross:
About the Guest
Summer Gross, an Anglican priest rooted in the Christian classics and part of the teaching staff of Healing Care Ministry’s spiritual direction program, walks with hundreds of people into a secure attachment with the Father through podcasts, videos, retreats, and groups of various sizes on her Presence Project Patreon account.
Summer invites you to come awake to He who desires to draw you close, cup your face in His hands, and convince you your adoption is not just a sheet of paper, not just a seal for heaven, but a commitment of His constant care and connection. Connect with Summer here.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Emmanuel Promise by Summer Joy Gross