Good Day Church!
What a beautiful late summer we are having. As I led DNA group on a front porch on Tuesday and sat around a fire with our Vestry on Wednesday I am fully aware of a deep gratitude and appreciation for life.
I know we talk about real suffering and real evil and real issues a lot in our church and we will continue to do so. But today I’d like to take some of these words in this here letter invite us all to take a few breaths, surrender in our bodies, and remember what brings you joy. What in your life right now is a source of joy that needs to be named and honored for that joy?
For me:
- my kids and Sharon
- my garden
- my fire pit
- my precious precious books all of them i love them so much
- this cold brew coffee i make for myself
- sleep
- the lotion scent i put on my body after a shower
- the sound of late august bugs in my backyard
- how much better my toe is feeling (thanks for the prayers and walking canes and advice, etc.)
- this new music i just found on spotify that I’m listening to as i write to you
- 75 degrees with 47% humidity
- exercise
- popcorn popped with avocado oil
What prohibits you right now from allowing appreciation right now? For me it’s usually pain, suffering, anxiety, anger, sadness. So here’s the trick two things can be true at once: my toe still hurts, and I appreciate it’s healing. There’s joy and pain there. If we wait for no pain or suffering we will never be able to have space for joy.
So today, beloved: may you make room for all of it, and especially, joy.
Your Priest, for Christ’s sake,
Fr. Matt
