A moment to stay home

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Statistics are showing that social distancing is working, And yet, we are still hearing stories of people, groups, and congregations rebelling against the directives given by our leaders.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1, 7

In the social distancing and stay home directives, we are asked to give up many things. We are giving up routines and rituals, comforts and assurances, as well as some of the “stuff” to which we have become accustomed. Amazon boxes used to show up on my porch fairly often with books, office supplies, and some fun things too. My dog is missing the UPS treats!

It is interesting to notice my own reaction to the changes imposed on my life as a result of COVID-19. Sometimes a little rebellion, some frustration, some sadness, and some moody statements, “I didn’t need it anyway.” How quickly I shift into. “It’s going to be ok.” “It’s worth the sacrifice.” “Others have given up or lost so much more.” matters. Quite honestly, I did not need it anyway.

What is it that is prompting people to ignore the directives and leaders as they, too, navigate this unchartered territory? Withholding judgment and anger, I will not even speculate.

I miss my church. So, I light a candle, open my Bible, and imagine someone somewhere at that exact moment is reading scripture with me, and I pray with them and for them.

I miss my friends. So, I make calls, write letters, face-time when I can, and remember with compassion all those who felt alone even before all this began.

I miss the freedom to go wherever, whenever. So, I walk outside. Interesting how luxurious this feels now. I am mindful of those who are without even this.

I miss the exchange of hugs. So, I stop and pray for all those who have been lost or have lost loved ones to this virus.

Jesus knew very well the feelings of isolation and disconnect from those he needed for support.

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:37-41

This is but a moment. Stay strong and keep watch.

As you read this, know that this day you are in my prayers. I am sending you love. I know with certainty you are not alone. God is with you. Prayer is our most significant connection. Close your eyes, breathe deep and feel the love surrounding you.

A moment in summer

I don’t know about you but, the “lazy days of summer” does not apply to me. Summer is full of fun, good times with friends and family, and a hefty dose of chaos. This summer, we traveled for swim competitions, college tours, and to spend time with loved ones we don’t get to see often enough. This means a lot of packing and unpacking in addition to the usual chores of life.

…but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances… (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18)

This is all good stuff, but for an introvert, who cherishes time alone, it can create quite a challenge. I didn’t have time to sit in my favorite room in the house to pray, contemplate, imagine, and write. I didn’t have much time to work through the joys and sorrows of life. I was in a sprint. These are the times when pray continually is the only way to have time for prayer. For me, it feels a bit like telling God, “I am not sure why you gave me so much to do. I don’t have time to sit with you right now so come with me!” I grab his hand and drag Him through my days. When I have a moment alone, it is brief and the moments of prayer are quick, “Thanks, this is awesome!”, “Wow, that’s a beautiful sunrise!”, “Help, this is not going well.”, “This is a perfect moment, thank you.” Often it feels like I am holding fast to His hand to make sure He is with me, sometimes squeezing tight, pleading for help, in the midst of the chaos. I am suddenly reminded of Jacob and his moment in honest conversation with God in which he won’t let go until he is blessed.

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome. Genesis 32:20-28

Do your moments of chaos include moments of blessing? Do you demand a blessing?

Be Blessed!

A moment of suspense

You meet those who gladly do right,
    those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned;
    because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf,
    and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name,
    or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
    and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,
    and do not remember iniquity forever.
    Now consider, we are all your people. Isaiah 64:5-9

Joy in the absence of feeling God’s presence can be challenging. But we must trust. We must be obedient. We must persevere. In this scripture, though Isaiah is feeling abandoned, he remains faithful to God and pleads for Him to show himself again. He likens himself and his people to clay in the potter’s hand, ready, to be molded and formed. In times like this, we are to be aware, be fit and be ready.

Be aware of the inner workings of our hearts. Listen deeply for the longings we have and what they are telling us about ourselves. Be aware of the needs around us. An awareness of the longings of others is essential as we are all connected and called together in some way.

Be fit. We must continue to act on the knowledge of God even when the feeling of His presence is missing. Be loving and do loving acts. Continue to seek God and understanding. Stay in the practice of your faith.

Be ready. He will not leave you in suspense forever. When the work of His hand begins to unfold, and His purpose is more and more evident, be ready to do that which His hands so lovingly molded you to do.

Above all, trust in the slow work of God. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you. And accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

A moment of dejection

The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it. Oswald Chambers

Some days are just like that though. We feel dejected uninspired and wondering “What is the point?” Those days for me, I am of not much use to anyone. If I try to confide in others, I risk the possibility of bringing them to where I am. And, “Though misery loves company.” as they say. I don’t feel it is a very kind friend that dumps on another the very dejection that we are trying to get out of. Where do we go then?

I feel I have a few choices.

I can go to someone who can be detached from me personally, who is strong at the moment in their own spirituality and can be my encourager with facts, not feelings. This is a rare friend and often hard to find.

I can look outside myself for some small contribution I can make to another person to encourage them and make their day brighter. This, in turn, will lift my spirits.

Or I can go deep. Deep into the place where that dejection first started. What was I looking for in the first place? Was it egocentric? Was I open to the possibilities of the looking for one thing and finding something else? Can I stop for a moment open my heart and see the Grace that was very likely hidden right there? Can I just be in the moment, waiting?

The moment we go deep, we are in prayer. This is where we are speaking of our dejection out loud, and we are waiting for an answer. This is the moment hope begins. We are no longer dejected we are waiting in hope for a word from the inner voice of our God.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning. Psalm 130:4-6 (NRSV)