COVID-19 update 3/26

​Dear Friends,

I recently read about the canals in Venice, Italy.  Due to the Coronavirus-induced shutdown, the water has cleared up and you can see the bottom.  People can even see fish in them.  Those who know me, know how much I love seeing fish!  But I am even more encouraged by the spiritual message in this unexpected consequence of sheltering in place.

The spiritual life is sometimes compared to a snow globe.  Most of our spiritual lives are lived in a constant state of shaking.  The “snow” is continuously swirling.  We can’t see clearly.  We miss the joys and wonders all around us.  We lose sight of the God of Jesus Christ, who is always with us.  Until we sit and wait and settle.  Settle.

How are your souls, friends?  Just because we have the time to settle doesn’t mean we actually will.  We may find other “boats” to race up and down the canals of our souls.  Resist that temptation.  Turn off the news...at least for some portion of the day.  Sit.  Light a candle.  Read a small portion of scripture.  Slowly say the Lord’s Prayer.  Watch compline just before you go to sleep.  

God is in the midst of us.  Use this time to tune out the noises of the world, as threatening as they may be.  Be still and know that God is here.  Settle and see how very near God is to us all.  There is Grace to be had even now.  Especially now.

Peace,

AJ+