Explanations

Recently, my friend and I had a day. A day filled with one unpleasant surprise after another. My friend described it as a day of whiplash. I said what next just wondering what could possibly go wrong next. And less than an hour later the bridge we were driving over when I said what next got stuck and people had to wait for a fix! I didn’t say what next again!

You have had one of those days. Where the bad news keeps coming and you honestly wonder what next because you can’t imagine there could possible be more bad news. Ugh! You know one of those days where you feel like you are living in a Psalm of lament. When those days come, I hope this prayer brings you a bit of peace.

Faithful and Wonderful God, it has been a day. You know what I mean. How many more unpleasant surprises can I handle? And yes, I know there was good in my day. The good just felt so overshadowed by all the hard parts. No matter what you are with me. Beside me when the hard news comes and celebrating the victories. I would love to ask for more victories, God. Instead, I will ask for your abiding presence and love to give me the strength to navigate this day whatever might happen. Amen.

Just what you need another reminder to slow down in the busy, busy, busy month of December. I hope you can see this prayer not as a reminder and instead an invitation. An opportunity to pause and breathe. Time to be aware of what is around you. A moment to just be in this time that has become so focused on doing.

Let’s begin by finding a comfortable spot near the Christmas tree. I recommend a blanket and a cup of tea to complete the scene.

And now take a few minutes to soak in the beauty of the Christmas tree. Notice the lights that brighten up the space and the tree. What ornament catches your attention? Focus on that ornament and the memories attached to it. And when you are ready, join me in prayer.

God of All Creation, For the beauty of this season, we thank you. When the grass is brown and the leaves litter the ground, you invite us to bring a symbol of life and light into our homes as a reminder that new life is coming. May the light shining from our Christmas trees inspire us this season to be lights for others and to slow down and pay attention to each other. Slow us down, Holy One, in this time of hurrying so that we may notice you and notice each other. Breathe into us the breath of new life reminding us why we celebrate each December. By the light of this tree, we pause and give thanks. Amen.

Normally on December 31, I look back on the year and remember. My favorite way to do this is through my memory jar. While I don’t want to ignore or forget this year, my memory jar is much emptier than usual due to musicals missed, trips not taken, meals not eaten in restaurants, friends not seen, etc. It was hard for me to write a post-it that said stayed inside today again and get excited about it.

So, I am looking back through pictures and blog posts and Facebook posts that remind me of this year. Amidst the struggle that was this year, I am looking for times I was grateful. I am thankful to have work that is fulfilling and uses my gifts even as I did it in new ways this years. I am thankful for my family and friends who love and support me as they let me support them. And I am looking with hope to 2021 that we will remember the challenges of 2020 and become more compassionate toward ourselves and each other.

God of the Ages, 2020 is on its way out and it will not be forgotten. Our hearts broke this year as we said goodbye to too many people. Our lives changed this year as we covered our faces, stayed home when possible, and learned to distance. We cried and worried and wondered what was the right thing to do. Too many of your children are without work. Too many of your children are sick and lonely. What will happen in 2020? Can we possibly learn from this year? Can you mold us into more compassionate people? Can we remember that we are not isolated beings and instead part of community? Hear our hopes for a better world in 2021. Heal this world and heal us. Amen.

I shared this reflection with staff and volunteers from Coastal Hospice last week.

As we begin, I invite you to grab a pen and paper if you are somewhere safe to write things down. If you are driving, please be careful and do not attempt to write anything down when we reach this part of our time together.
Our lives have been turned inside out and upside down this year. What once was routine or normal is now no longer the way it is done. I do not need to tell you any of this as you are living it. And yet, sometimes it is helpful to say out loud what is happening in our lives.
“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God” Isaiah 40:1. What brings you comfort in these challenging times? Before you leap to answer that question, let me share a definition of comfort which is “a pleasant feeling of being relaxed and free from pain.”
Now, I invite you to make a list for yourself of what brings you comfort. We’ll have a time of silence as we write our list.
(Silence).
I shared that I find comfort in a hot cup of tea. I take the mug in both hands and bring it close to my face. I feel the warmth and smells calm me.

I hope you will take the time to do that which comforts you in the coming days, and maybe share your list with others so together we can comfort each other.
Please reach out to others when what has always been comforting is no longer working for you.
Let us pray-
Loving God, Comfort us! Hear us! Continue to love us! We need you today! We need each other today! Bless the work that we do and give us the strength to carry on. Amen.

To provide extra support to the employees and volunteers of my hospice, the Spiritual Counselors are leading a brief call each morning. During the call, we have time for talking together and checking in, an inspirational thought or quote, and a prayer. I led our call last week and share the following.

I read the first two verses of “Hymn of Promise” which you can enjoy here. And then I offered this prayer.

Prayer-In this time of great uncertainty, we are reaching out to you, Holy One. Hear us as we ask for wisdom when life does not make sense. Hear us as we cry out when our hearts are breaking. Hear us when we laugh with pure joy at the beauty of life. As we keep physically distant from each other, do not be distant from us, Loving One, as we were built for connections. Bless us as we do our work this day and remind us that we are never alone. Amen.

My hope is that these words bring you peace on your journey today!