Leaning In Through Times of Uncertainty

Until this weekend, I’ve felt like this whole Coronavirus thing has been really surreal - it’s happening “over there”, somewhere else to someone else.  And then the first cases were reported in Grafton and it suddenly felt really close to home.  With all the conflicting information, it’s hard to know what to believe, how to proceed and how to plan.   We are all suspended in this sense of unknowing.
 
I strongly believe, though, that within this altered state of reality, there is great opportunity – opportunity for our souls to catch up with our bodies now that we aren’t so busy; opportunity to spend time with our spouses and kids; opportunity to reconnect with friends, relatives and ourselves; opportunity to notice the wonder of life all around us.  And I hope we are living into those openings and embracing this new pattern of life.
 
But in spite of all these wonderful opportunities and the constant reminders that “we are not alone” and “we are in this together”, there are times I still feel very much on my own and very much alone.    There are times when fear, anxiety and powerlessness rise above and crush down these positive messages.  In fact, several times this week, those very emotions washed over me, knocked me to my knees and came pouring out.  The uncertainty of it all made me feel weak and at a complete loss as to what to do.  As I allowed these feelings to be felt, as the tears and sobs poured forth, I noticed that I cried out and leaned in to Jesus.  The more I leaned, the greater sense of presence I felt - for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12) -  and I was able to go forth, trusting in that presence.
 
We all need a time, a place and a space to lean sometimes.  A Place To Be would like to be one of those places for you.  I will lean into you, and you may lean into me.  Together, as community, perhaps we can be space for each other to feel the presence of God. 
 
A Place To Be is offering a variety of online, live-streamed prayers as that space and as a way to stay connected.  Please join me and prayer with me and others in our virtual community.  If you have a suggestion as to how we can do this better or what we should add, let us know.  Jenny and I promise to do our best to make that happen.  If you need resources, let us know and we will try to plug you into an organization that can help.  If you just want to talk, please call.  I would love to chat.
 
But most of all, hang in there.  Together, as community, we will be faithful and be given what we need.  Thank you for being there for us.  Be well.