Thursday, September 15, 2022
Scripture: Jeremiah 8.21-9.1
For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people.
Devotion:
Since November of last year, Alex and I have experienced a tremendous amount of loss: we have lost a cat unexpectedly and two grandmothers. We have collectively experienced losses as a nation and world, in the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in the chaotic ups and downs of the economy, and in concern for those affected by COVID and other life threatening diseases. As a parent of a 19 month old, we celebrate each milestone with joy, but not without the loss of whatever stage she is growing out of (she is insistently not a baby anymore!). Grief is something that acts different in every scenario we encounter it: sometimes we feel angry, sometimes we feel sad, sometimes we feel empty, and sometimes we feel nothing right away until it smacks us when we least expect it. As an eternal optimist, I have dealt with grief this year by focusing on all the good things: my perfect child, my healthy marriage, my love of this church and this community, sacred moments with friends and family. But those positives, I have learned, do not always outweigh the bad.
I share my experience of this year because I know that I am no alone in my series of challenges; all of us have had a year when it seems like loss is hitting us left and right, and I empathize with all of you. We are in this boat together. We, as people of God, should not feel guilty for experiencing grief. The Bible is full of times when people cry out in grief, in hardship, and in challenge, including Jesus himself who weeps for Lazarus. This week, we will explore the ways that God provides that balm in Gilead in unexpected ways, in times when we need God the most. We will also celebrate communion and ordain/install/commission our new officers. Worship may be a little long, but it will be worth it! Join us at 10am for what is sure to be a special day.
For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people.
Devotion:
Since November of last year, Alex and I have experienced a tremendous amount of loss: we have lost a cat unexpectedly and two grandmothers. We have collectively experienced losses as a nation and world, in the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in the chaotic ups and downs of the economy, and in concern for those affected by COVID and other life threatening diseases. As a parent of a 19 month old, we celebrate each milestone with joy, but not without the loss of whatever stage she is growing out of (she is insistently not a baby anymore!). Grief is something that acts different in every scenario we encounter it: sometimes we feel angry, sometimes we feel sad, sometimes we feel empty, and sometimes we feel nothing right away until it smacks us when we least expect it. As an eternal optimist, I have dealt with grief this year by focusing on all the good things: my perfect child, my healthy marriage, my love of this church and this community, sacred moments with friends and family. But those positives, I have learned, do not always outweigh the bad.
I share my experience of this year because I know that I am no alone in my series of challenges; all of us have had a year when it seems like loss is hitting us left and right, and I empathize with all of you. We are in this boat together. We, as people of God, should not feel guilty for experiencing grief. The Bible is full of times when people cry out in grief, in hardship, and in challenge, including Jesus himself who weeps for Lazarus. This week, we will explore the ways that God provides that balm in Gilead in unexpected ways, in times when we need God the most. We will also celebrate communion and ordain/install/commission our new officers. Worship may be a little long, but it will be worth it! Join us at 10am for what is sure to be a special day.