Alone Together #13 Next Steps

Many of our communities are opening back up…

Depending upon your location and personal situation, this varies drastically. I spoke with a man yesterday who has almost no known Covid-19 cases within a significant radius near him, but whose brother works at a facility with a refrigerated truck out back as a temporary morgue. Jon takes this quite seriously, but many of his neighbors do not.

Each of us is experiencing this challenging season from a unique perspective. Some areas and individuals are affected more by illness, some more by economic impact. Some are facing tremendous loss on both fronts. Some lives have barely changed, others will never be the same. Some have lost loved ones. Some are financially devastated. Others are doing fine.

I’m hearing

• Fear

• Relief

• Impatience

• Hope

• Judgement

• Politics

• Conspiracies

• Excitement 

• Attacks

• Anger

• Finger-pointing

• Anxiety

• Trust

• Gratitude

• Conflicting conclusions

• Incredibly creative, generous, loving, inspiring serving of friends, family, and neighbors

As the body of Christ, we need to walk in wisdom, fueled by the fruit of the Spirit instead of our opinions. We cannot compare our lives, suffering, and situations. We continue to carefully navigate uncharted waters as we consider what a “new normal” will look like for us as an individual, family, church, community, and planet for the next days, weeks, months, and years.

My prayer every step: “Lord, may I be fueled by Your supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14) Put Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth. (Revised Goodtime Linda Version) And may I take each step in Your wisdom.”

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)

Hope to see many of you all tonight! As always, feel free to slip in and out as desired. Come as you are: pajamas, bed heads, and all. It is good to be with the Church by any means we can finagle, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Much love,

Linda

Alone Together #12 The Socially Distant Epistles

How are you holding up? I’ve talked to a lot of people this week. I hear diverse thoughts, opinions, emotions, struggles, frustrations, gratitude, creativity, teachability, dependence upon God, and a few friends crying, “Let me out!!!!”

So this week, let’s read the Prison epistles:

• Ephesians

• Philippians

• Colossians

• Philemon

As you read, respond in your journal. Consider these questions:

• What does Paul emphasize in these concise letters?

• What is foremost on his heart and mind?

• How does Paul keep his sanity?

• How does Paul care for people from prison?

• How do they do church without a building?

• How did the first century church commit to love and unity while often isolated from one another?

• How can we love our faith community?

• How can we share Christ with a world that needs to see Him?

We’ll have a great discussion Tuesday as we learn from Paul on how to do Church in less than ideal situations.

Alone Together #11 Grief and Grace

It was so encouraging it was to see you all last night! Always strengthening to be with others who love the Lord. You can’t imagine what it means to me to see your faces in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Florida, and Australia. I have been so blessed to be with friends from the Tuesday night Bible study, friends I haven’t seen in years, and beloved family from around the world. I rejoice with each name that pops up in Zoom.

Meeting online isn’t perfect, but I hope it’s a boost to your soul as we link arms around the world to draw on the Word and our mutual support. I know some of you cannot join us, or be there every week, and that’s fine. Feel free to slip in or out as needed. Feel free to just listen in without needing to share—or stick around and chat if you’d like. Feel free to share the link with others or have people contact me if they want to stay in the loop. See you again next week.

Grief and Grace…

Last night we talked about the correlation between Grace and Peace. This morning Grief and Grace are on my heart.

All the feels… As I check in with people through the week, I hear all the feels:

• People who are thoroughly enjoying sheltering at home!

• Joy at having the gift of time

• Contentment

• People who are absolutely swamped

• Tackling a new learning curve

• Missing loved ones

• Loneliness

• Increasing conflict

• Blaming

• Depression

• Exhaustion

• Fear

• Worry

• Anger

• Disappointment

• Despair

• Grief

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;

My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. 

(Psalm 31:9)

Grief comes in so many forms. Grief involves loss of all types. There’s a continuum and a broad spectrum from people who are really upset because they can’t get a manicure to people who have lost loved ones or may not survive themselves. And every single loss in between. Some of us have absolutely heartbreaking life-and-death situations. Some face an uncertain future. Others of us have lost really significant gatherings (weddings, funerals, graduations). Some have lost plans, vacations, family events, holiday events. Some are struggling with mental health issues as they have lost routines, connections, support structures, life-giving input. Some are praying for patience with spouses, children, and other family members as you shelter together without a break. Some are desperately missing being with friends and family.

Some feel guilty if we compare our grief with others. We cannot compare our pain. Pain is never an excuse to sin. But we each have a different temperament, support system, and circumstances. Some of it goes back to the adage: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Repeat after me: Patience and kindness. Kindness and patience.

That includes you. We need grace toward one another. We also need to extend grace to ourselves. These are uncharted waters. We’ve never walked this path before. For me, it feels like slogging through quicksand. I hear all the incredible productivity: “This week, I Marie Condo’d my house, cleaned every nook and cranny, repainted every wall, built a chest of drawers, made meals for six homeless shelters, knit blankets for the poor, earned a Masters degree online, taught myself Spanish, and worked my regular job full-time from home.” Some days I amaze myself with my efficiency. Other days all I can muster is taking a shower and brushing my teeth.  Anyone else ever feel like that?

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:16) Take a deep breath. Take a nap if you need. God is working from and toward eternity. Lean into Jesus during this uncertain season. Extend grace to others. And yourself. You are being loved and held in ways you can’t possibly fathom. Rest in the One who loves you.