“If the pain were a bug and not a feature, then you’d be like, ‘This is a really crappy life.’ But if it’s a feature, then you can see its fruits. And in my life, without a doubt, the fruits of suffering have been really good. They’ve been things that I need.”
— Melissa Inouye
Besides having Melissa co-lead a stellar discussion for ThinkAgain-FaithAgain last fall, I have had the good fortune of serving on the advisory board of Faith Matters with her. Her sharp intellect and wit were always appreciated. As was her advocacy for more clear-eyed thinking and speaking in her church—especially from more women. Suffering for years from colon cancer likely gave an urgency and clarity to her voice that might have been too understated without it.
Her light will burn bright long after she is gone—whenever that might happen. But feeling the warmth of her presence and the important ideas that she would have illuminated will be sorely missed.
And now, as of this writing, she has begun hospice care. She will be leaving a family who adore her and significant medical bills. A friend set up a GoFundMe for her family. You can find that here.
Just tonight, a friend told me that Melissa’s latest book, Sacred Struggle: Seeking Christ on the Path of Most Resistance, is “such an honest, vulnerable voice—transformative.” My friend, Jana Reiss, wrote a thoughtful article about the book and Melissa last year.
Finally, Faith Matters did a lovely interview with her about her years of sacred struggle.
My heart grieves the thought of her likely passing. Especially for her husband and children. I hope you’ll consider donating. Thank you.
