Peace that Passes Understanding: Hope and Healing for Anxious Times

In August of 2008, photographer, priest, and poet, Richard Bellows, began sending cards of his photographs and written reflections to Laurel, a woman living with cancer. Because she found the cards “have the awesome power to bring peace and a tranquility that allows for healing,” Richard expanded the card list to include others, including Paul and Jodi. The cards meant so much to Jodi, even though she was nearly blind, she would take her favorites pinned to a bulletin board whenever she would be admitted to the hospital. Their daughter wrote, “Rick’s cards…gave us the strength we needed from God to continue on our journey. The cards were truly cherished treasures for a very difficult time leading up to and after my parents’ deaths.” Now collected in this book, you, too, can find hope and healing in these pages. As a Christian inspired by St. Francis, Richard sees God in the world—in creation, in people, and in community. He encourages an open minded Christian faith that notices God sending us messages of love and wisdom—gifts wrapped in the beauty of nature. By unwrapping these gifts we find hope and healing. The author is a member of the Third Order, Society of St. Francis, an Episcopal religious order. He started his career as a geologist, and finished as a parish priest after nearly thirteen years serving as rector of parishes. At age 42 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which forced him to retire and move at age 48. Richard, his wife, and two children (when they aren’t away at college), live in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he gardens, takes pictures, and writes.