I am almost afraid to watch the news
or check my phone
or listen to the radio
for fear that my anxiety will be ratcheted up
to a level that can only be soothed by
a hearty loaf of fresh-baked bread,
slathered with French Sea Salt butter,
and devoured in one sitting.
Or a batch of my favorite home-baked cookies,
which may or may not even make it into the oven...
apparently, frozen cookie balls are an up and coming member
of the comfort food family.
In times of distress and anxiety, Paul's instructions
mean even more.
And so I ask myself
What are the things that give me joy?
Making soup from scratch -
maybe butternut squash or chicken and rice
stands next in the queue
choosing, chopping, seasoning, heating
The sum is always greater than the parts.
Reading a good book again and again -
even if I know what's going to happen, it's OK
well-written words reveal more than the plot
they capture the essence
of striving to live,
of overcoming obstacles
and learning what it means to really be alive.
Making something useful from scraps of yarn and lace -
my preoccupation with crafting shawls
must be linked to my desire to feel
cozy and comfortable, and even when by myself
never alone
Kept for me or given away
making something from scratch is interwoven with
many prayers and a piece of my heart.
Spending time with people who make me feel whole
whose only expectations are
love
and acceptance
with an occasional moment of whimsy thrown in
I work to translate
these tangible springs of joy
to my journey of faith.
Stand firm, Paul says
Help others, be gentle, don't worry
Feel God's presence in the midst of these simple,
yet difficult things.
Pray and give thanks and rest in the peace that comes
from trusting in the Holy to define who we are
rather than letting the world define us
Truth
Honor
Justice
Pleasure
Excellence
All are rooted in God's plan for creation and the created.
Seeking them
Pursuing them
Witnessing them
Doing them
This is the path to oneness with God
This is the path to oneness with each other
This is the path to peace... real peace... God's peace.
Standing firm... finding joy
So simple
So hard
So necessary
No matter what profession or vocation
this is the work we must choose
this is the work that will save the world
this is the work that will save us all
Deb Luther Teagan
(c) October 9, 2020
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