Amid the chaos of spreading darkness, let the light of love guide you...
In this bittersweet and timely meditation, Ann Ridge, PhD, explores the enduring power of faith and spirituality during one of the most challenging chapters of American history. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, January 6 insurrection, and political divide, she offers Christian reflections and personal anecdotes that reveal the many faces of light and its capacity to heal and transform.
In this bittersweet and timely meditation, Ann Ridge, PhD, explores the enduring power of faith and spirituality during one of the most challenging chapters of American history. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, January 6 insurrection, and political divide, she offers Christian reflections and personal anecdotes that reveal the many faces of light and its capacity to heal and transform.
Excerpt:
JANUARY 1, 2021
Exercising my spiritual muscle.
Well, it’s the perfect day to embark on this journey. It’s a rotten, sleeting, windy Chicago day. The first day of the year, and the streets are cold and icy and gray. The kind of day where it’s hard to feel good because the truth is, you feel kind of yucky. Free-floating yucky. Yup.
Just the day to seek the bright spot—at the very least a “Happy New Year,” or at the very best “Oh Happy Day” as the chorus bursts into song and our lives light up with the wonder of a God who will teach us to fight and pray. Oh happy day!
This is the perfect kind of day to exercise my spiritual muscle—and in my darker moments when I say, “Oh yeah, sure, you can transform this dreary, sad-sack day into a light filled experience of goodness and grace.” Even in my darkest hour I know, yes, I can.
This afternoon, as the sleet poured against my windows and the wind howled outside, I lit a candle and began my meditation. In truth, knowing I would begin this journey today, I began to consider the light around me early in the day. And yes, in fact, there was quite a bit to light up my dreary day. The two small but adorable Christmas trees spreading colorful lights throughout my living room, bringing warmth to every dark corner. The lighted lamp on the end table by my couch, shedding its comfort over my musings, readings, writings, and everyday moments. That was just a start. The light of love as my cat, Ashes, throws her adoring self on my lap and insists that I love her to death. Or at least provide fifteen minutes of solid affection.
As a seeker of the light, I have made a practice of seeing the light in my own musings. Over the years, I have kept journals in which I write to both my deceased mother and father as a way of keeping their spirits alive in my life. Those journals are precious because they allow me to see ways in which I need to seek healing, renewal, and growth. As I was writing to my father this morning, I “saw the light” as I realized just how his precious gift of humor and deep appreciation of life has influenced my own appreciation for so much of life: our planet and its cultures and peoples, Creation and its inhabitants, the arts and personal expression, family and friends, the love of God—the full measure. What an enormous gift I have been given. Both my parents shared a deep love and appreciation for life with me. They encouraged me to seek the light in so many ways.
Seeking the light and its many faces puts me on an ever changing, wondrous path. On this path, I am encouraged to see and smell the roses. Find the beauty. Seek the wonder. Live it. Share it. Make it happen.
9 pandemic, January 6 insurrection, and political divide, she offers Christian reflections and personal anecdotes that reveal the many faces of light and its capacity to heal and transform.
More about the Book:
In newly released Epiphany: Seeking Light in the Darkness—Our Divided Nation, Ann Ridge, PhD, takes readers on a bittersweet journey through the tumultuous beginnings of 2021. Reflecting on the violent January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the political upheaval during a seemingly endless COVID-19 pandemic, these meditations explore the enduring power of light in the darkest of times. Inspired by a simple Sunday school assignment, through personal anecdotes, spiritual insights, and the wisdom of children, the book reveals the many facets of light—and how it can help change the world.
From Dr. Ridge’s reflections on acceptance and belonging to the transformative power of community and prayer, each entry offers a beacon of hope and a call to seek grace in everyday life. As an antidote to the loneliness epidemic, social alienation and political divisions facing our country today, this six-week journey during the season of Epiphany is a testament to enduring faith, the power of empathy and community, and the strength of the human spirit. Epiphany reminds us that openness to the light can lead the way to personal and collective hope and healing.
Dr. Ridge is available for presentations/discussions and readings. Purchase Epiphany: Seeking Light in the Darkness—Our Divided Nation as e-book and print copies on Amazon and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
About the Author:
Ann Ridge, PhD, has enjoyed an enriched and fulfilling life of study, teaching, public service, and creativity. Her career in publishing began as publication manager for the Illinois Bureau of Tourism where her travel-related publications received awards and national recognition. Responsible for concept development, production and distribution of over 20 publications and millions of publications a year, she reminisces fondly of the publishing process, recalling going to print press checks as she oversaw the final product, a joy A lover of books, her first author/illustrated book entitled How We Came About, took 3rd place in her all-school 8thgrade science competition. She voluntarily illustrated school essays. A brief course in book design during graduate school launched a love for creating the printed word.
Dr. Ridge graduated from Barat College, 1971, with degrees in art education and art history, and from the American University, 1981, with an M.A. in arts administration. As an administrator, educator, and artist she found rewarding opportunities in government, not-for-profit, and academic sectors.
For over 30 years Ridge was public information officer, marketing director, and publications manager for Illinois state agencies including the departments of Commerce and Community Affairs-Bureau of Tourism, Financial Institutions, and the Illinois Arts Council. During those years she earned an M.A., 2002, in pastoral counseling from the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) at Loyola University Chicago and a PhD, 2020, in theology and culture/human development and faith at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Since retiring from state service in 2015 Dr. Ridge taught human development and faith at IPS and the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago.
Currently, Ridge lives on Chicago’s Northside, volunteers with Organizing for Plastic Alternatives on a variety of legislative initiatives, is active with the 47th Ward Green Council, and presents sustainable volunteer opportunities to local houses of worship and community groups. She recently participated in a year-long eco-preacher cohort with the BTS Center in Bangor, Maine and a second year-long training in eco-spiritual direction at the Center. Her days are filled with Sunday school youth projects, congregational efforts in sustainable living, supporting local unhoused communities, painting, writing, and training her rescue shepherd/husky.
Throughout it all, Ridge has followed her love of music playing guitar, singing and songwriting. She has performed in bands, jazz trios, choirs and even traveled throughout Eastern Europe singing with Chicago’s Community Renewal Chorus. Today, she continues to write songs and perform with her partner in the band, Ravenswood.
Dr. Ridge graduated from Barat College, 1971, with degrees in art education and art history, and from the American University, 1981, with an M.A. in arts administration. As an administrator, educator, and artist she found rewarding opportunities in government, not-for-profit, and academic sectors.
For over 30 years Ridge was public information officer, marketing director, and publications manager for Illinois state agencies including the departments of Commerce and Community Affairs-Bureau of Tourism, Financial Institutions, and the Illinois Arts Council. During those years she earned an M.A., 2002, in pastoral counseling from the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) at Loyola University Chicago and a PhD, 2020, in theology and culture/human development and faith at the Chicago Theological Seminary. Since retiring from state service in 2015 Dr. Ridge taught human development and faith at IPS and the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago.
Currently, Ridge lives on Chicago’s Northside, volunteers with Organizing for Plastic Alternatives on a variety of legislative initiatives, is active with the 47th Ward Green Council, and presents sustainable volunteer opportunities to local houses of worship and community groups. She recently participated in a year-long eco-preacher cohort with the BTS Center in Bangor, Maine and a second year-long training in eco-spiritual direction at the Center. Her days are filled with Sunday school youth projects, congregational efforts in sustainable living, supporting local unhoused communities, painting, writing, and training her rescue shepherd/husky.
Throughout it all, Ridge has followed her love of music playing guitar, singing and songwriting. She has performed in bands, jazz trios, choirs and even traveled throughout Eastern Europe singing with Chicago’s Community Renewal Chorus. Today, she continues to write songs and perform with her partner in the band, Ravenswood.
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