{"id":2783,"date":"2026-03-02T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theycallmefancynancy.com\/?p=2783"},"modified":"2026-02-18T15:15:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:15:29","slug":"what-we-know-to-be-true-and","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theycallmefancynancy.com\/?p=2783","title":{"rendered":"What We Know to Be True AND…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Would you be surprised to learn the following things are true? Ants don\u2019t have lungs. In a group of twenty-three people, there\u2019s about a 50% chance two people will share the same birthday. Willow bark can be used as an alternative to aspirin. The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn. And Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a 50,000-word novel titled Gadsby which doesn\u2019t use the letter e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Truth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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We seem to think truth should be easy to believe. Or at least, truth should be obvious! However, I\u2019m sure you are aware, if you gather a random group of people together, they won\u2019t be able to agree on \u201ctruth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Christina Rumpf<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Often, we find truth difficult because more than one thing can be true at the same time. For example, people see colors differently. My sweet Pastor husband and I don\u2019t always agree on whether something is grey, green, or blue, depending on the shade we are examining. Let me give you another example. You can laugh and enjoy a moment of joy even while experiencing deep grief.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One truth doesn\u2019t eliminate the other truth. Both exist at the same time, even if they seem contradictory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Word AND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In November of 2020, my mom passed away. In 2021, God led me to make the word AND my word of the year. I learned the power of the word AND<\/mark><\/a> as I processed through my grief. I experienced so much heartache while I also experienced so much tenderness and encouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When we use the word AND we identify two things we know are true. I want ice cream AND I want to be thinner. I long to discover new ways to be generous with what God entrusts to me AND I love new clothes. I\u2019m learning to love a new community with a new network of relationships AND I experience sadness and loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I find power in the use of AND because I remind myself, I am not limited to one truth. It\u2019s beneficial for me to know I enjoy ice cream and that I would also like to be thinner. I can then choose to enjoy a smaller portion of ice cream or choose a sorbet over a custard. If I were to use the word \u201cbut,\u201d I would struggle with wanting something I didn\u2019t think I was allowed to have. Using the word \u201cbut\u201d pits the two truths against each other, which creates unnecessary animosity and tension in my spirit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Vadim Paripa<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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AND Jesus gives Peace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Amid the turmoil, pain, and grief of our world, how can the power of AND help you? Scripture tells us Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:5-6). The word for peace in Isaiah is the word shalom which actually means to be whole or complete. Peace is more than the absence of conflict. We experience peace when we live within safe boundaries; when we enjoy relationships that are aligned; and when we flourish within our purpose. Jesus came to give us the life we were created to live when God created the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Regardless of the circumstances we live in, Jesus came to give us peace. In fact, Jesus said to his disciples, \u201cI have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.\u201d (John 16:33, CSB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n