I spent Monday gathering resources for the Faith Formation This Week webpage. When I was done I decided to go for a walk. I popped in my ear buds and listened to music from Porter’s Gate gate as I hit the path that connects East Lake Park to the High School. I had a lot on my mind and was hoping that the fresh air would help clear my mind. It was a nearly perfect weather for me- I love when the temperature allows me to wear jeans and a light jacket comfortably.
I looked around and saw trees still bare from winter. I reflected on all the plans I had had for the next 6 months. As I climbed up the hill to the old pioneer cemetery I was feeling overwhelmed with all the questions that I could not answer - When will public worship return? What will summer faith formation look like? Will we be able to meet in the Fall? I have to make plans for alternate possible futures. I was overwhelmed. I got to the part of the path just before you walk along Grand Avenue, which is where I turn to walk back the way I had come (I was enjoying the isolation of the path and didn’t want to walk along the road). When I turned to go back, I took notice of the field. Not too long ago there was a controlled burn. It was when I turned to go back that I noticed there was new growth already in the burned field. As I walked I noticed that the trees were not winter-bare but rather there were small buds where leaves would soon burst. I had been mourning the losses of what we had been missing with time stuck in our homes- all the plans kids had for concerts, games, band trips, birthday celebrations, Confirmation, family vacations. I’ve also been mourning what will not be in the future. I had PLANS- cue God’s laughter! As I started taking more notice of the new Spring life, my mindset also changed. This was a time to stop and savor. This is a time to enjoy and to welcome. I am appreciating all this extra unhurried time with my family at home. In the past we have been fairly consistent with having family meals most nights of the week- but they were often rushed meals because someone had a meeting/work/game/practice/etc. This past month we have eaten together and have had time to talk and to relax and to laugh. On my walk back home, the more new life I noticed around me, transforming the burned fields and the winter-bare trees, the more I realized what an exciting time this can be. It is one thing to stop and take stock of your own life- this may or may not result in a change. Effecting change in your life can be difficult when you are the only one deciding you need a change. This shut-down is forcing everyone to stop and reevaluate their priorities. We are all being forced to really look at what is necessary in our lives and what we can live without. If everyone is altering how they live their lives, maybe there is hope for all of us affecting a permanent change. Sometimes in the busy-ness of the before-the-pandemic-time we felt like there were so many parts of our lives beyond our control. We were allowing ourselves to be swept along with the current of the crowd around us. We let fear of missing out rule many of our choices of how we spent our time. God gave us all free will. We have the freedom to choose what we think and what we do. We choose who we serve. This week, I encourage you to take the opportunity to savor this time. Reflect and pray about the changes that have come and will come in your life because of this pandemic. Welcome the Holy Spirit to guide your steps as you go forward in these uncertain times. Ask God to give you the grace of wisdom to discern what is truly valuable in your life and the strength to honor those values as we slowly emerge from our pandemic cocoons.
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Kelley TanseyFaith Formation Coordinator Archives
June 2021
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