11/06/2024
My beloved church family,
Many of us are shocked and angry this morning at the election results. Many of you have poured countless hours into working toward a different outcome and you are tired. Our collective emotions are all over the place, and I wonder what I can write that might be helpful.
I picture the candles that we lit on Sunday as a reminder of the light of those who have died that live on in us. Our own candle might not feel very bright this morning. We may wonder if there is even a spark left – perhaps it will need to be relit in the future. Fire needs oxygen to burn, and right now, our oxygen levels are low. We need oxygen – deep gulping breaths.
So today, tomorrow, as long as you need, take deep breaths and give yourself the grace to feel whatever it is you are feeling. Be patient with yourself. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself: perhaps a long walk, listen to music, journal your anger, talk to a friend. We can’t help another person with their oxygen mask without putting ours on first.
Check in on each other. Reach out to me or another person if you need to talk.
If you can pray, pray. If you can’t pray right now, that is ok, know that others of us are praying for you, for our church, for our country.
There will be a time again in the future when your flame will spark back into a flame. We will be needed in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead to take risks to stand with those who are vulnerable in our community, but for now, take hands with each other and breathe deeply together.
May God bless you and keep you in this difficult time.
Dawn
What came into being
through the Word was life,
and the life was the light for all people.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. John 1:3b-5
