A Reflection on Self-Care during Uncertain Times

Letting Go
by Chris Sanders, Pastoral Associate

There was a man many years ago that I got to know very well through RCIA. He was a lanky, tall man with a hearty laugh, kind eyes and a calm soul. Over the course of the year he shared bits and pieces of his faith story that mirrored many others in the class. One night during our session on prayer, I shared with them a simple prayer reflection and handed out the short poem, Let Go and Let God by Laurette P. Burns.  It read:

 “As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God,
Because god was my friend.
Bet then, instead of leaving God in peace, to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help,
With ways that were my own.

As last, I snatched them back and cried,
“how can you be so slow?
“My child,” God said, “What could I do? You never did let go?”

There was nothing unique about this poem, it has been around forever. I had completely forgotten about it until right before the Easter Vigil when this quiet, gentle man stayed after our practice session. For privacy reasons, I will call him Sam. Sam wanted to tell me what a gift that prayer session we had many months before had been. He continued to share that he had been a struggling raging alcoholic for many years and was now practicing his sobriety. He shared that he did not want to let go and let God and he was always on his own way in life and with his relationship with God. Sam shared he was fearful and did not trust God would love him as he was. Tears slowly flowed down his face as he said, “that poem you handed out about letting go and letting God has been my daily reminder - I am not in control and I can trust my God.”  We shared a few other words but mostly I will never forget the gift of his words and the feeling of gratitude and peace Sam finally had. Sam died from cancer less than a year later.  

We all have a story and we all struggle with something. How well do we let God guide us in our day? In the silence of our heart speaks our strongest voice of God. Be silent, be present, be you, let your heart sing the truths no one else can hear. What are the whispers of your soul today?

A morning sunrise is a reminder we are a part of life’s mural of opportunity. Lean in, lean in hard into your beautiful faith. Our Catholic faith provides us with the stability of many types of prayer and traditions to hold us and give us strength in the uncertain days we live in with a pandemic we did not ask for. 

When visiting with many parishioners over the phone or Zoom these past few months, while practicing social distancing, there have been so many gracious responses to how we are living. Some of you have shared your experiences as “being given opportunities to try new things, discover your neighborhoods as you walk and enjoy the outdoors in different ways, and taking time to reprioritize a life that got lost among carpooling and overloaded schedules.” These are experiences of letting go and letting God.

How do we let go when stress has been a huge challenge all of us are facing? Nothing is normal and everything is topsy-turvy, changing from every week, to every other week, to sometimes daily changes. Those of us who rely on the stability of schedules for planning, working and our children are facing this time with the unknown and it can make us extremely uncomfortable. Life right now is uncomfortable, and no one likes feeling out of sorts.

You are stronger than you think, lean into your faith, let go and Let God.

During this time of Covid crazy, I have noticed so many new hobbies being taken up and people using their gifts in different ways. Have you noticed how nice everyone’s yards look? Gardening, painting, quilting, biking, tennis, composing music and so many lost or awaiting hobbies are beginning to find a new home. Taking my walks, the scenery is different than before March. I see families outside and Adirondack chairs dotting yards or driveways for outside conversations with neighbors. There may not be ball games or regular practices but there are kids and parents playing catch, running through sprinklers, putting on skits and singing in their yards. There are whole families walking their dogs and young people saying hello to older neighbors from across the street. The common smile and wave as they cross a walkway to keep social distancing is a kind sign of comfort and care for each other. These are all beautiful moments in a time when we long to be back to our lives of gathering, hugging and not worried about breathing on anyone.

Perhaps fear is also creeping into many of our lives. Those of us who are at home with a loved one who has had cancer, is fighting cancer or is dealing with a severe to minor immunocompromised body are facing different challenges than many others. Literally leaving the house is a risk for these individuals or families. Things like groceries, hugs and gathering with loved ones looks very different. Food and supplies are ordered and delivered, and quarantining is done before gathering with loved ones. All those close to each other in families at high risk - if lucky can pod together making safe gathering possible. But then, we have health care doctors and nurses in our parish and families who literally must meticulously think through every logistical movement of their day from how they utilize PPE at work to showering before coming home and or living in separate areas to keep loved ones safe.

Again, you are, we are stronger than you think. Lean into your faith, let go and let God.

We are all plain tired of Covid, yet we do not get to wish it away or decide how long it will be here. It is not in our control. Let’s look at this pandemic differently. What if we lean into the pandemic and see what this time is as teaching us? Maybe we can use it as tool to guide and force us to really analyze how we make ethical and moral choices? Who and what are important? What are the whispers of your soul saying? Lean in, listen hard to the uncomfortable whispers of your soul? How can our Catholic faith bring comfort even if some of us are not able to come and share at the banquet of the Lord? What prayers are bringing comfort, joy and hope? In what ways are we leading our families, our young church, our parish in a time of the unknown? How are we being safe, reaching out and keeping other safe?  

We are stronger than you think, lean in, lean hard, let go and let God.

When we are exhausted, mentally and physically, be kind to ourselves. All these unknown and ongoing stressors are exhausting. Maybe we are not physically tired but mentally just zapped and our thinking is foggy. This is a sign to take it easy, listen to yourself and do some self-care. Are you hungry, tired, angry, lonely or do you need some fresh air and exercise? Feelings are felt in the body; what is your body saying? Take the time to care for yourself. Jesus did this often and showed us that it was ok to take time out for prayer and rest.

Sam, my friend, was a gift and a beautiful reminder that we, too, can let go and let God take care of things we do not have control over. The same God that Sam walked with also walks with us.

It is not what the day brings that matters,

            But how we receive what is given.

Welcome today with grace, compassion, and kindness.

            With these eyes we can build a day of gratitude.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Little Visitation - January 9, 2022

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene