Jonathan Puddle.com

The last few months have been a hard road for our family — some of which I have shared here and some I have not. This weekend was a true balm for my soul, getting to spend some time learning and listening and crying and hoping again, with two people I have admired and appreciated from a distance for some time.

Felicia Murrell teaches on the transformative power of love with more courage, conviction and earned authority than anyone else I know.

Bradley Jersak has provided perhaps the greatest encouragement to my spiritual journey in the last decade, out of anyone still living.

In the 14th century, Julian of Norwich wrote,
"Some of us believe that God is almighty, and can do everything;
and that he is all wise, and may do everything;
but that he is all love, and will do everything— there we draw back."

I try to be someone who does not draw back from that assertion: that God is all loving and that love can be trusted to make all things right. Thanks to these two, this weekend felt like breathing oxygen again for the first time in a while.

Cheremy "Cherry" Beatrice Puddle
? - 2026

She loved sitting in cars, but not driving anywhere.
She liked to be close to people, but not touched by them.
She had the memory of a goldfish, quickly forgetting people she'd just met (and barking at them all over again).
She tolerated Pippin.
She loved the snow, and when I took her winter camping she preferred laying in the bare snow to a blanket.
She slept 6+ hours a day, and all night long.
She once nipped my friend by accident, and was more hurt/shocked/embarrassed/horrified than he was.
She was a weird, sweet old lady, and was the first animal I truly cared about.

We thought she'd make it to Monday, but ended up saying goodbye today.

Here's to you, you silly old girl. 🥃

Hello to all my new friends! In case you are new here and wondering what I'm all about, aside from when I'm being mistakenly identified as a human trafficker, here is what you can expect:
- trauma-informed reflections on spiritual growth
- non-toxic Christian religious life
- family stuff
- travel, food, movies, music.

We have 4 kids, 2 dogs, I work full-time in IT, and I help lead a small network of LGBTQ+ affirming Canadian churches.

❤️✌️🕊️

Well, it's been a wild few days:
- My post went a bit viral which I absolutely did not expect.
- Interview on Guelph Today
- Interview airing tomorrow on CTV.

And tonight we met the couple who called it in! I got to thank them in person. And probably overwhelmed them with all my millenial dad energy.

And mostly just feeling super proud and hopeful that a lot of people are learning more about trafficking and being encouraged to say something.