Today, the heat broke for the first time in what feels like ages. In Connecticut, it has been hot and sticky all summer. In fact, the humidity and heat have been more off the hook here than in Tennessee and Georgia when I was there a few weeks ago. It has been insane. And today, for the first time, the heat broke. The temperature was in the low 60s when I drove to the church this morning, and it stayed that way all day. It was the perfect summer roll-the-windows-down-and-turn-the-music-up day. I loved it.
The truth is, it would have been easy to miss this beautiful day, though. It would have been easy to let the day slip by, tied up and busy, without noticing the beauty of this day that God made; without taking advantage of it...without finding rest in it.
At the same time, I had a few really powerful conversations with parishioners today. We talked about life and death, how active God is in our lives (or not active, sometimes as it may seem!), and about how much God wants us to change the world. We also talked about the rising pressure, among our families and in the world around us; that feeling that things just keep getting more and more intense - and there's no real release valve anymore.
It's a spiritual gift to be able to take advantage of the moment when the release comes - when the heat lets up. Especially when it feels like it doesn't come often enough. How do we do that? How do we position ourselves to take the breaks when they come? To be paying enough attention to roll down the windows when there's a breeze? To be in tune enough with ourselves and the world around us that we're comfortable seizing the moment - or the day - when we can just be content? There will always be more work to do. And any of us that are realistic know that there will also always be more pressure, more surprises, more challenges around the next turn in the road. So how do we let go of that responsibly, and let ourselves take the win when it sneaks up on us?
Some of the answer is about gratitude. And some of it is about attentiveness. And some of it is about being willing to let go of the idea that we are in control, able to save the world, or to be in control. There's a humility in being able to say: stuff isn't perfect right now, and still, I'm going to be grateful for this thing God has given me. And this comes with intention - and practice.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ [Matthew 11:28-30]
Look for the windfall. Notice it when it comes. Believe that God has sent you a chance to rest, refocus, restart. Go roll the windows down and turn the music up, or do whatever it is that will let you reconnect.
The truth is, it would have been easy to miss this beautiful day, though. It would have been easy to let the day slip by, tied up and busy, without noticing the beauty of this day that God made; without taking advantage of it...without finding rest in it.
At the same time, I had a few really powerful conversations with parishioners today. We talked about life and death, how active God is in our lives (or not active, sometimes as it may seem!), and about how much God wants us to change the world. We also talked about the rising pressure, among our families and in the world around us; that feeling that things just keep getting more and more intense - and there's no real release valve anymore.
It's a spiritual gift to be able to take advantage of the moment when the release comes - when the heat lets up. Especially when it feels like it doesn't come often enough. How do we do that? How do we position ourselves to take the breaks when they come? To be paying enough attention to roll down the windows when there's a breeze? To be in tune enough with ourselves and the world around us that we're comfortable seizing the moment - or the day - when we can just be content? There will always be more work to do. And any of us that are realistic know that there will also always be more pressure, more surprises, more challenges around the next turn in the road. So how do we let go of that responsibly, and let ourselves take the win when it sneaks up on us?
Some of the answer is about gratitude. And some of it is about attentiveness. And some of it is about being willing to let go of the idea that we are in control, able to save the world, or to be in control. There's a humility in being able to say: stuff isn't perfect right now, and still, I'm going to be grateful for this thing God has given me. And this comes with intention - and practice.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ [Matthew 11:28-30]
Look for the windfall. Notice it when it comes. Believe that God has sent you a chance to rest, refocus, restart. Go roll the windows down and turn the music up, or do whatever it is that will let you reconnect.
 | Please join us for our Welcome Home Sunday on 9/16! We'll have special surprises at the 10:00am service followed by a big, festive joint coffee hour with WPC! All are welcome! |
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