Angels Among Us

During a craft activity at summer camp a few years ago, a child called me over to look at the picture of Jesus she had drawn. Jesus, she explained, took care of us and helped us feel better. Her Jesus was tall, wearing a brightly colored robe and tennis shoes. I tried to talk her  out of her prized piece of artwork so that I could take it home with me, but alas I failed to convince her.

I was reminded of that little girl's piece of artwork while talking to a parishioner who had recently been hospitalized. She was delighted that a member of the Brothers of Saint Andrew's had come to visit and bring her communion while she was in hospital. She said they had a delightful conversation and that the gentleman's visit had been the best part of her day. Throughout another parishioner's extended illness, I heard how deeply loved and cared for the parishioner felt because of the cards, flowers and tasty meals she had received. Another parishioner called to express thanks for the prayers of others, which she said she could all but feel during her days of distress.

Christ calls us to be his hands and his feet. We, the Church, are to be the Body of Christ given for the world to see. Our Pastoral Care Teams serve as the Body of Christ. They cook, place phone calls,  make visits and share beautiful blooms from their gardens. As the Body of Christ, our Eucharistic Visitors take Communion  to those who are unable to be present with us on a Sunday morning.  For all those who share their gifts of care with others, let us say "Thanks be to God." 

Flying Through The Typhoon

Dad was a navy pilot in the pacific during WWII.  His many stories of this time filled family gatherings.  One that has stuck with me most was his experience of flying straight into a typhoon.  When the plane was in the storm, the noise inside was louder than can be imagined as it barrel rolled through the turbulence.  Once he made it to the eye of the storm or the center, "the peace and stillness were beyond description.  It is so quiet, still and peaceful in the center while the storm swirls viciously.'

 

I wonder if this experience taught Dad how to live through life's storms.  He had many that could have easily done him in, had he allowed himself to be drowned by the noise.  Dad knew how to find the center though.  He had a little corner in the house where he would go to find stillness.  It had a small header and blanket (he was always cold), and favorite treats to munch on.  These things sustained his body while he spent time with his tattered bible, writing and in prayer.  This is where he would find that peace which passes understanding through the many assaults that threatened to rob him of it.

 

I too have had many storms, as I imagine all of you have had as well.  I have learned to carve out a space and time at least once a day.  In this place I reconnect to that center which houses God, and I know that storms that rock and threaten to drown me in their noise, will not.  This place and connection are stronger than any storm.  You have to experience it for yourself.  I would love to hear your stories of flying through the storms and finding center.  What is your practice?  How do you do it?

...And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging

waves; they ceased, and there was a calm.  He said to them,

"Where is your faith?"

Luke 8:24b-25a

 

 

Dr. Elizabeth Conrad, Minister of Christian Formation

The World is Watching

Every four years, the World stops and watches the Winter Olympics, to see the best athletes in the world take a stab at their frozen art. These athletes spend years, months, days, hours, and minutes focused on improving, cultivating, and enhancing their bodies, minds, and art for these special Games. To see if they can bring home to their country an exquisite medal and have the honor of being an Olympic medalist. 

My favorite sport of the Winter Olympics is figure skating. Each discipline has its own elements that have to be executed correctly. This sport is such a creative, romantic, and beautiful art that only spans for a few minutes of time, then it is done. All of the hours of preparation lead to one performance. Just one, and if focus and concentration are lost, the hours of preparation can lead to nothing but disappointment. It isn't just a physical sport, but a mental sport as well.

Gracie Gold, one of the American ladies' figure skaters and the 2014 US National Champion, performed in the figure skating team event on Sunday. It was her Olympic debut, and she needed to do well to keep the US team in 3rd place. She stepped out onto the ice and proceeded to skate one of her best performances. Afterward, Gracie was interviewed on how important it was for her to embrace her skating. She replied with, "Really important. [My coach and I] have been reading Phil Jackson's book, and you know, when you let go of all the fear, that’s when you find the love for, not just sports, but anything in life."

What Gracie said about letting go of the fear struck me. She seems super comfortable on the ice, and it appears that she loves every moment of it. The fear is not there; she has conquered it. Loving what she does and forgetting the fear has pushed her to new heights. New heights that could win her a medal in Sochi.

Fear is always something to hold you back. It is never something to hold on to. It won't bring you joy, happiness, laughter, peace, and contentment. It will bring depression, anxiety, doubt, and distress. Why do we want to live in a place that bears those fruits? Living in fear destroys us. Satan wants us to latch on to those feelings so that we don't live out the life God created us to have.

So, be an Olympic athlete this year. Embrace life, and see what good things come from letting go of the fear.