The Answer, my friends. . . .


Because forgiveness is like this: a room can be dank because you have closed the windows, 
you’ve closed the curtains. But the sun is shining outside, and the air is fresh outside. 
In order to get that fresh air, you have to get up and open the window and draw the curtains apart. 
–Desmond Tutu


It seems like this self-isolation thing has been going on for a very, very long time, doesn’t it? In Ohio, it officially started March 23. About six weeks ago.

Now, people are getting antsy. Let us out, they say. It’s my constitutional right to go wherever I want, to shop and eat out and go to movies! In some states, the protests are crazy wild!

But here’s the deal:

We have always been allowed to leave our houses. It’s not like we are eight and Dad has confined us to our bedroom.

Is it time to head to the nearest bar and get together for several rounds with friends? Nope. Not yet. If you like those friends as much as you say, you’ll miss them a while longer.

But—is it time to get out? Take a walk? Let the wind blow through your long, unkempt locks? Yes! In fact, it is way past time! As my mother would say: Go out and run! Blow the stink off! Come back when you’re in a better mood. . . .

Adam did it. Moses did it. Jesus, and Peter, and Paul—they all got out and walked, or worked their gardens, or took time away to fish. They knew their mental health needed the break—the distance from people to reconnect with the Divine. Go!

Right now! Stop reading and take a break. Breathe. . . .


Monday First thing in the morning, stand at a window and watch the world wake up for a few minutes. Open the window and listen for sounds of rebirth.) Breathe. Acts 7:55-60

Tuesday Take a walk outside today. Is it breezy? How does the sun (or rain) feel on your face? What about weather do you love—and what, not so much? Psalm 31:1-5

Wednesday What can you do while you’re self-isolating to help those in need of basic shelter or food in your community? Consider volunteering or making a donation. Psalm 31:15-16

Thursday Pause today and meditate on how the Spirit has worked in or through your life, whether through big ways or small. Give thanks. 1 Peter 2:2-10
Friday As we begin a new month on the calendar, consider making a mini-resolution, as you may have done in January. Make a pledge to keep just for 31 days. Tell someone who will (lovingly) hold you accountable. John 14:1-4

Saturday As you pray for yourself today, consider inviting the Spirit to refresh your soul, breathe new life into your spirit or otherwise make her presence known. Give thanks and rest. John 14:5-9

Sunday Focus today simply on worship. How is it with your soul? Give God your reverent attention and praise. John 14:10-14

A year is a long time to live without the human contact of loved ones, fresh air, and gravity, 
to name a few.  –Astronaut Scott Kelly

Stay home. Stay safe. Because a year would be a long, long time, 
but the seeming eternity of losing a loved one is even longer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stepping back. . . .

Image
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and with a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever,  even if your whole world seems upset.  –St. Francis de Sales This week, I invite you to simply sit in a quiet space with words of hope and promise, and to remember, as Julian of Norwich knew, that all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well . It has been a long, difficult season. Advent and the coming of the Christ is just around the corner. Peace and comfort to your spirit. Monday   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” Matthew 11:28-30 Tuesday  “Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6-9 Wednesday  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the
Read more

It's that time again. . . .

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised changed, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness?  Whatever it is,  it’s welcome. –Kristin Armstrong No matter what part of the world you call home, this time of year brings big changes. While my friends Down Under are watching sings of new growth emerge from the earth as temperatures rise, here in Ohio, the leaves are turning from green to gold and orange, red and brown. The winds have taken on a chill; clouds hang heavy, like soggy cotton, reminding us that soon and very soon, we are going to see the snow . Always different, yet somehow, the same. We depend on God’s eternal ways, and trust that again this year, winter will follow autumn, just like it should. So why is it, as we anticipate and appreciate changes like these, when it comes to so many things in life we pull up short, wrinkle our noses and say No! No change! I like things just the way they are! It’s t
Read more

Starting again

“This, then, is how you should pray:" --Matthew 6:9a I have been really sensing lately that there is another blog inside me, one focused on prayer.  Oh, I know-- those elephants are all about prayer. Heck, they  are  prayer. And I will continue there, as well. But what I've been feeling is that people-- maybe you--  have always been told, "You should pray," or "Pray about that." But maybe you feel your prayers aren't "good enough," or that it's just too hard, too embarrassing, too [fill in the blank] to pray. Maybe it feels like no one really talks about how  to pray-- except, of course, for Jesus, in Matthew 6 and a couple parallel passages where we are given what's come to be known as The Lord's Prayer. And it is a great prayer. And there are other great prayers, and other ways to pray that do not involve rote. So "my plan" here is to share, hopefully on a weekly or semi-regular basis, a lot of
Read more