“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So begins chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, and an apt sentiment for this episode. We won’t beat around the bush: in this episode, we share the bittersweet news about taking a step back from A Pondering Heart Podcast. Over the past year, we’ve taken a beautiful journey that has allowed us to dive deeper into our faith, have challenging conversations, and ponder out loud. We’ll talk about what’s next, embracing change in our lives, and extending our gratitude for your continued support and listenership with each episode.

All of you have played such a beautiful role in this journey, and for that, we thank you! Onwards and upwards, ad majorem Dei gloriam! — Emi & Rachel

Things to ponder in this episode:

• A popular practice for the new year is to take on a word for the year. For 2022, Emi’s is ‘receive’ and Rachel’s is ‘intimacy’ (Rachel shares more here: https://rachelwong.substack.com/p/a-word-for-2022). Do you take on a word for the year? If so, what is it, and how might God be speaking to you through it? If you don’t take on a word for the year, no worries! There are other ways that God speaks to us. Take some time to reflect on the year that has passed, and how God might be calling you to deeper relationship for this year.
• Change is inevitable in our life, and this is felt most acutely as we go from year to year, or from one state of life to another. How do you cope with transition, and what does that look like for you? Read through Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: it’s a powerful reminder of the temporal nature of our life, and how ultimately we will one day belong to God alone.
• As we wrap up A Pondering Heart, what has been a key takeaway for you? How will you continue to ‘ponder out loud’ with the Lord?

What’s on our heart?

• Emi: “End of a chapter, the start of something new” — a line from a musical that Emi was in a few years ago, called “Right Here, Write Now.”
• Rachel: An Address of Pope Paul VI, entitled “Reflections at Nazareth”: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/paul06/p6reflect.htm

You can continue to listen to (and re-listen to!) A Pondering Heart on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and beyond. Our Instagram and Facebook is @aponderingheartpodcast.

Here are some ways you can keep in touch with Emi and Rachel beyond A Pondering Heart:

Emi is a Vancouver-based Catholic writer and artist. You can follow her on Instagram @restlessnightwriter. You can also read her reflections on her website at eminamoro.com.

Rachel is the host of The Feminine Genius Podcast, which you can listen to on all major platforms. You can follow her on Instagram @femgeniuspod and @rchlcwng. You can also read some of her reflections at rachelwong.substack.com.

Our theme music is "Yellow" by Scott Buckley. Learn more at scottbuckley.com.au.