A Moment in the Journey
Chaos seems to rule these days. Take a moment to breathe and remember that you are loved.
This might be the first year ever that I am looking forward to Lent. Partly the more somber feel to the season matches my feelings about life these days. The other reason is that the theme RAT is preparing also feels right for right now.
We are working on “For Just Such a Time as This” using parables as our guideposts or trail markers through the wilderness. Since the wilderness grows more wild by the day, these guideposts might be just what is needed to get us through.
As we approach Lent we will contemplate more of “The Sermon on the Mount” from Luke and then visit the Transfiguration once more. With the reminder that we are loved deeply, we will venture into the wild places with the confidence needed to make it through the season.
In the meantime, we continue to breathe and resist as well as seeking, embracing, and sharing joy. Please share in the comments a moment of joy you experienced in recent days. We could all use a reason to smile.
Remember to take care of yourself and take breaks from the news as you need. Also, remember to check in on those who are more vulnerable than you are. We need one another as much now as ever, if not more so.
Other people in your life might also benefit from being part of a loving community. Now is an excellent time to invite people to join you in whatever Living Table activity you think they might be most comfortable participating in; you don’t have to start with worship.
For now, just breathe. Enjoy the beauty of nature for a moment. Reach out and make a connection with someone, even briefly. Remember that you are not alone and that you are beloved.
We’ve got this.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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A moment of joy? I look for one every morning: I get up early while it’s still dark and open the east-facing curtain by my breakfast table. Most mornings, I can see the sky get pink and then bright long before the sun gets up. I enjoy that bit of quiet time. And then I do some Duolingo while I eat.
Vacation brought me joy that I had no idea was missing from my life currently.
No television for 8 days and limited news consumption.
I feel it’s important to take breaks from the news because your heart feels lighter and the pit in the stomach is less heavy.
Upon return I see anxiety & sadness everywhere I go.
I feel helpless and little right now and one should never return from vacation feeling that way.
Faith is a wilderness right now…