Weekly Words for the Journey

To My Beloved PBBC Community

For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die…
a time to break down, and a time to build up…
a time to weep, and a time to laugh…
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…
(Ecclesiastes 3)

Sister Eileen from Mercy by the Sea in Madison sent out these words last week: “Scripture tells us yes, there is a time for everything…and we don’t always like the time we are in, but we must enter the time and allow it to change us, mellow us, slow us down, soften us.”

We may recognize that we still need this time apart for the health and safety of all people, but I think it’s safe to say that we are also becoming restless with this time. Social distancing brings both positive results and personal sacrifice; some restrictions are being lifted while others are being reinforced. This week we paid tribute to teachers and nurses; this Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day; we honor all our heroes in this disquieting and inspiring time.

I like the ways in which you are using this time:

Reading good novels, watching favorite television shows and movies
Taking walks, working in the yard, sitting on the porch, reflecting on life
Talking on the phone with family and friends, calling other church members
Finding peace on the water, sewing face masks, knitting prayer shawls
Sending cards, doing puzzles, getting to know ourselves again
Taking pictures of newly blossoming trees, pouring over old photo albums
Cooking and cleaning, shopping and sleeping, helping and hoping
Listening to music, revisiting quiet hobbies, connecting in creative ways
Giving thanks for steady paychecks, sustaining jobs, government assistance
Praising our essential workers, all those called to the front lines
Praying for the unemployed, the underpaid, all those deemed non-essential
Remembering our past, refocusing our present, reimagining our future
Waiting and worrying, watching and wondering, seeking and serving
Keeping our faith
Marking God’s time

Yes, there is a time for everything…a time for joy and for sorrow, for lessons and losses; a time for burdens and blessings, a time for things broken and for things beautiful. All of our time is in God’s hands, and all of you are in my heart.

Pastor Claudine

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