3/28/2020 0 Comments LamentYou have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. -Psalm 56.8 The world has turned upside down in the past couple of weeks as the COVID-19 has been making its way across the globe. While these are uncertain times, I have been reflecting on how many of the lessons learned in infertility-land are now helping me navigate this new reality. Staying grounded in the present moment has never been so important for managing anxiety. Focusing on what has been provided each day with a spirit of gratitude rather than fearing lack and scarcity has been essential. Recognizing what I do have control over - like hand washing, social distancing and reaching out to my neighbour - in a situation that really is out of my control has reminded me that there are still things that I can do to help. I have been inundated with news stories, emails and social media posts recently. The outpouring of support has been heartening as I've witnessed community happening in new and innovative ways. I've been overwhelmed by the flood of resources that have suddenly become available as individuals and organizations find their own avenues to reach out and help. In the midst of this all, one simple and yet powerful facebook event called "Lament Together" stood out to me this week and touched me deeply. It was led by "The Many," an indie, intentionally diverse music collective from Chicago singing music of faith and doubt, hope and lament. Lament is not something that is talked about much outside of church circles, and sometimes not talked about within church circles either. But I was reminded this week what a gift lament is, a gift of my faith tradition, a gift for times of fear and uncertainty. Lament allows me a way to feel into all of the dark and lonely places, the sad and fearful places, without the risk of being devoured by them. It allows me a way to pray when I do not have the words, or when the words are just tumbling around inside me and need to be poured out. Lament is a space of being held so even though I might be in a place of despair, I do not grieve as one who has no hope. It provides a ground beneath my feet when everything else seems unstable. And I don't have to cling to positivity or hope on my own steam either, as I'm watching so many people try to do these days. It is a gift to be able to feel honestly while also trusting that I am being held by God, whose got the whole world in their hands. To be able to rest in a Source of Love that is so much bigger than you and me makes all the difference at a time like this. Categories
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