One of my earliest memories is sitting in the old sanctuary at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Houston, next to my dad. On the Gospel side, about halfway back. I must have been fidgeting because he leaned over, pulling the pen out of his shirt pocket, and handed me his service bulletin, saying, "Draw me a picture."
On Sunday, I had the strangest sense of déjà vu as I leaned over to a 6 year old acolyte and asked, during the sermon, "Would you like to draw me a picture?" She nodded with a quick smile, and these are two of the results. The upper picture is "a whale and her baby" and the lower one is "the life cycle of a seed." (see the bee coming to the flower at the end?) (6, she is 6, six.)
I love this so much. And I love that this parish encourages inter-generational ministry, so that I get to know some kids that I really wouldn't, otherwise. It's balm to my soul.
I haven't had much to say on social media in the past week and a half. It's been brutal for several reasons. The election; the conversations/hatefulness following it; Ken was very sick & in the hospital (but is now fine) and on and on. I just felt smushed.
Yesterday I sat with a friend at our weekly coffee date and we said, "What are we going to DO!?" All I can think of is, each of us needs to do one thing. Of course, "ALL THE THINGS!" would be better and faster.
But I think that if everyone picks one thing to add, one change-for-the-better thing, and does it really well, we can get somewhere. And we can always do one more.
I know this works, because for many years my "get out of yourself" solution has been going to the grocery store and putting away carts. But I'm not sure that's what's required here.
One thing options:
Donations to a variety of causes
Securing links to the best and most trustworthy media
Making calls
Finding like minded people who are doing something and joining in with them
Volunteering - anywhere. Anywhere.
Here is a great article that has good ideas.
How-To:
I don't think something that I already do "counts." So acolyting and stuff at church is great, and gives me the opportunity to feel wonderful. But OTHER things. New things.
Sit first. Pray first. Center first. This has always been true, but it is more true than ever. If I am not the most "me" I can be, I won't be able to be any help to anyone.
Self care. Because, what I just said.
I hope you all are being kind to yourselves and each other. We're all we've got.
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