Thank you for commemorating such a glad day. Rivendell is also refered to as the hidden valley. In a broken world, safe and healing places must be hidden. Not to make them inaccessible--but so they may be found by those who seek with all their hearts.
Thank you, Eric! That means quite a bit: thank you for the kind words. And I almost didn't make that final connection, but felt like something was missing from the conclusion. That's where it led me.
What a perfect verse to reference! Worthy of inclusion if I ever were to revise/expand the piece.
What a beautiful reflection—thank you! This is the first time I’ve thought of Elrond’s healing mission and how that can be a reflection of Christ’s healing work in the face of loss. Very inspiring words to start the day—and maybe time for another read of LOTR! 😁
Thank you, Vanessa! I'm so glad that the piece helped make that connection for the first time. Glad your day got off to a start like this. And yes, do it!! haha
Thank you for this golden thread. One of the signals, in my opinion, of living work is its ability to find new meaning with every reader. And yours is rich and dense like black cherry syrup!
Have you explored Tom Bombadil? I’d love to hear your perspective
Yes, I've noticed it before but it's become especially clear to me in the last year as I've returned to it with fresh eyes that The Lord of the Rings is in the category of living work. Thank you for the kind words!
I have not yet explored Tom Bombadil but he's been on the list of potential future topics! I'll have to bump him up a few spots after hearing about your interest
Fantastic!! I drew the parallel as I was reading yet after the last sentence of your piece here I was only left thinking because his yoke is easy and burden is light.
Are there any such "homely houses" in the contemporary world? Not, of course, ones which utilize the power of the elves to protect them against disaster and decay—but a place where rest, healing, and contemplation are encouraged? Sort of a cross between a writer's retreat, a vacation, and a really good coffee shop? And if not, what would it take to make something like that?
This reminder came at such a good time in my life to ask again for rest in the House of the Lord. Thank you for drawing out that comparison-it brought me a profound moment to rejoice in the compassion of God. God bless!
What a beautifully written reflection on the House of Elrond. Very timely for my soul seeking/needing the refuge of Christ, while also grieving the ways the "church" has stumbled in this calling.
There’s a Christian retreat centre in BC, Canada named Rivendell. I think it strives to be a quiet setting of peace and beauty, for healing and reflection.
Thank you for commemorating such a glad day. Rivendell is also refered to as the hidden valley. In a broken world, safe and healing places must be hidden. Not to make them inaccessible--but so they may be found by those who seek with all their hearts.
You're welcome! Glad to commemorate it and share it together.
I love your thoughts about the significance of it being the "hidden valley." Thank you for sharing them!
This is quite beautiful, and stirring, Josh. I also never made the connection to Jesus before. Well done!
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Thank you, Eric! That means quite a bit: thank you for the kind words. And I almost didn't make that final connection, but felt like something was missing from the conclusion. That's where it led me.
What a perfect verse to reference! Worthy of inclusion if I ever were to revise/expand the piece.
What a beautiful reflection—thank you! This is the first time I’ve thought of Elrond’s healing mission and how that can be a reflection of Christ’s healing work in the face of loss. Very inspiring words to start the day—and maybe time for another read of LOTR! 😁
Thank you, Vanessa! I'm so glad that the piece helped make that connection for the first time. Glad your day got off to a start like this. And yes, do it!! haha
Thank you for this golden thread. One of the signals, in my opinion, of living work is its ability to find new meaning with every reader. And yours is rich and dense like black cherry syrup!
Have you explored Tom Bombadil? I’d love to hear your perspective
Yes, I've noticed it before but it's become especially clear to me in the last year as I've returned to it with fresh eyes that The Lord of the Rings is in the category of living work. Thank you for the kind words!
I have not yet explored Tom Bombadil but he's been on the list of potential future topics! I'll have to bump him up a few spots after hearing about your interest
This is great news. I explored a tension between Bombadil and Gandalf representing my sense of inner and outward adventure- it worked!
I absolutely LOVE Peter Jackson's version of Rivendell. I want to retire there one day. No, really. Can I?
I love it as well! What a lovely place to retire it would be!
Wonderful writing. I needed respite in its own right.
Fantastic!! I drew the parallel as I was reading yet after the last sentence of your piece here I was only left thinking because his yoke is easy and burden is light.
Are there any such "homely houses" in the contemporary world? Not, of course, ones which utilize the power of the elves to protect them against disaster and decay—but a place where rest, healing, and contemplation are encouraged? Sort of a cross between a writer's retreat, a vacation, and a really good coffee shop? And if not, what would it take to make something like that?
I do hope you put on your youth pastor voice for that last part.
I save that voice for very special occasions (twitter)
The way you wove this together and tied it to the verse from Matthew 11 made me cry. Really beautiful. Thank you.
Beautiful reflection. May we all be kind as summer. Amen.
This reminder came at such a good time in my life to ask again for rest in the House of the Lord. Thank you for drawing out that comparison-it brought me a profound moment to rejoice in the compassion of God. God bless!
What a beautifully written reflection on the House of Elrond. Very timely for my soul seeking/needing the refuge of Christ, while also grieving the ways the "church" has stumbled in this calling.
There’s a Christian retreat centre in BC, Canada named Rivendell. I think it strives to be a quiet setting of peace and beauty, for healing and reflection.