Today’s Word from Pastor Jim
When we are born, our world is very small. The whole world revolves around the comfort and nourishment of our mother’s breast, and a place to lay our head in slumber. Newborn babies sleep about 17 hours a day. In the opening months of our lives every day is the same, and the world is small. Babies are unable to care for themselves. It is as it should be.
For parents it is a season of joy, wonder, and sleep deprivation. But the seasons turn and before you know it, that little one is rolling over, learning to crawl, taking steps, riding a bike, going to school, and asking for the car keys. It does not happen overnight, but as we look back on it, we realize how quickly the seasons pass. Time is relative, time is fleeting, time respects no person, time marches on, and the seasons change.
For a few decades the world expands: bedtime gets later, our social circle moves outside the family, travel leads us to new lands and cultures. Trial and error, pain and pleasure are good mentors. And then, sometime in our 30s, the world again begins to contract. Thanks to trial and error, pain and pleasure, we learn that there are some things that we need not do again, some places that we do not need to visit, some mountains that need not be climbed.
This contraction does not happen overnight; it continues for decades. Slowly and perhaps unnoticed, the world once again gets smaller. In the closing months of life, our entire lives may be lived out in a single room. The whole world revolves around a hospital bed in the living room, the comfort and nourishment of our family, and 17 hours a day of sleep. In the closing months of life, our small world and inability to care for ourselves mirrors our infancy. It is as it should be.
In the past weeks, our world has become unexpectedly smaller. This contraction is unwelcomed and tries our patience. One of our TLC members remarked about life in isolation with her husband by saying, “it is like living with a caged animal.” The health club is closed, the parks are closed, the golf courses are closed, and the Mariners will not be playing baseball anytime soon. We are not allowed to gather for worship, exchange hugs, or even grieve our dead. Suddenly, the world is very small. This is not as it should be.
Now let’s be clear – this is not like living through the Dust Bowl, the Blitzkrieg, the Irish potato famine, or the Great Depression. This is a season of precaution, isolation, inconvenience, social distancing, and sacrifice for the common good. Our world has become smaller for a season, not forever. We have a roof over our heads, food in the pantry, hot showers, gas is cheap, and the best weather of the year is just around the corner.
Be patient with yourself and that caged animal that you live with. Be not afraid, find blessings in each day, reach out to others – misery loves company.
What I can tell you is this: we are one day closer to the end of this crisis and we will get through it together. For now, our worlds are small. For now, tend to your little corner of creation and know that this season will pass.
Much love to you!
Pastor Jim,
A caged animal
A Note From your TLC Fun Committee:
How did you do on our first round of trivia? Follow this link to watch our trivia master, Kevin Lungren, reveal the correct answer: https://vimeo.com/
