“If God’s heart socially distanced from us, we would be in big trouble! Thank God our hearts can still be close to one another, even when our bodies can’t for a while.”
Thinking of ways to keep our hearts close while we are physically apart. And ways to work on developing our hearts while apart. So here’s….
A bit more from that article (since i have more time to write, and less to counsel face to face this week) i’m working on about some responses to the times we are in, for those who now have a bit more time to read those longer entries you always wanted to finish, but just didn’t have the time….
Dear friends everywhere!
Since we have so much time to contemplate and consider the times right now! Each of us in our little monastic huts, but still together by heart….here are some opportunities i see during this particular crisis- just a few which have popped to top of my heart in prayer, during this latest global trauma: What happens when everyday is suddenly Sunday? As we have all become monks now! Or on a forced social fast….what are some opportunities for us all? Here’s a few I see.
In our little neighborhood everyone is gardening, taking walks, and greeting one another with their eyes; making little piles of extra un-needed things, in case others need them. Making sure the elderly are getting groceries, and trying to support local business in any way now possible. Here were some other ideas which came to me about what we can “work” on while in this forced social fast.
My wife and I are kinda fortunate because we already work out of the house, but many others don’t, and are having to sharply adjust their lifestyles—especially families of course, with schooling etc. But I was trying to think of things we all could benefit from this season. Here were a few which popped into my heart in prayer:
To work on be when we can’t do—not easy in “do” cultures, i know. To work on our inner lives in living hope that when we return more to the outer, we will be able to give more deeply to one another! When we can’t “do” we can work on “be” so that when we can “do” again, it will be done with more love, more true caring, and from more of our deeper real selves.
Since you asked what opportunities i see in this current situation, or what i hoped to learn, or have formed through it.
My hope is to be or become more, while i can’t “do” as much in this season; to have learned Love more deeply, when returning from this social fast, or enforced sabbath.
Everyday is now a Sunday, and we have all become monks! So let’s get monastic! Let’s not waste our night! Let’s glow in the dark, so we can shine brighter when the day returns! For the dawn is always already breaking in our hearts!
For extroverts as well as all personalities i’m sure, it’s hard to not be out with everyone! But there are opportunities! “Silence breeds good meaningful speech!” as they say! If we can be more, we will be able to do later with more depth of being! If we can be quieter, we will be able to speak the right words with more weight later. As the poets say, true poetry just between the lines. So maybe we can work more on the spaces between words this season.
It’s a forced monastic season; many are uncomfortable with Sabbath Rest, or the idea of just being. But as we “enter into that inner Rest”, we will be able to give more deeply, when the time comes! Nice advice from a friend. It may not solve all our logistic problems with finances, home schooling, delays in travel etc; but it does solve a heart problem of having meaning while we wait. In the concentration camps, as Victor Frankl pointed out, those who made it through, had to find meaning in their daily waiting to be released. Character is formed in waiting well.
What are you guys learning through these challenging times. Let’s keep collaborating in Hope and Joy!
Until we meet again friends,
Derek
PS:
We’ve moved from an action film to a more silent observational film. Can we sit and just watch without being constantly entertained or stimulated. Can we become art life appreciators, while the action is on pause? Can we ourselves become better art while in the dark, so when shown on the big screen, people are blown away!
Yet, if you must watch action films right now however, i suggest prayer! There’s lots of action there this season! And lots to “do” for one another! Prayer is another great response to seasons like this. Even if we can’t “touch” one another, we can touch one another’s hearts through praying! And even sharing on line what we see or feel for that person in prayer. Great time for that sort of unseen precious encouragement! If you don’t pray, this is a great time to start. What else, you gonna do. Why not try it! It’s genuinely helpful to you and others.
Another practical one i see, is to share our best recipes with one another, so we have food communion. Did this one last night. We have time to share other’s favorite dishes! Maybe for the first time, we can say to one another after this passes, hey i really liked that one recipe you sent me! Food is the most direct way to commune of course! Of course, we could also share our favorite books and poetry with one another, to keep the soul fed! There are all sorts of food!
What are you guys learning? Great time to collaborate in Hope and even Joy with one another, during these times of isolation. The heart is never isolated.
One other which came to me was the potential to grow intimate with our kids, despite the stress of the change of schedule. I know this one is hard, as many are having to home school now, but what if even that was an opportunity to grow in intimacy with our kids, and really tune into their learning processes and love language in a fresh way, before they return to structures of care in other houses. You guys would know much more than me on this. But, i was praying that it would be a time where families actually deepen by being constantly together. Just a thought!
Of course, for some of us extroverts, it’s hard to wait to bless others-to get back out in our social pools; but what if our blessing will be deeper once we have been more in-formed by Rest. What if we let Love grow in stillness or less activity, or different activities, so that when we return, we bring and are, more into our circles of influence and care. Let’s not waste our rest! Or time “off”!
Another fruit i’m seeing is, each person we do get to meet, becomes more singularly seen and loved. We are more thankful for “each” neighbor, in times of isolation. Even yesterday, the postman—it was such a joy to see him, even through the door, and say hi, and this too shall pass….
Another cool thing now, the opportunity to exercise our creativity for solutions to how to keep love flowing in community while separated physically. It requires inventiveness to bless one another in times like these. Let’s be creative friends in being friends! Maybe even social media will become more meaningful, with more weighty conversations in this mutually vulnerable period.
Maybe even our internet words and expressions, will take on a different density, as they become a more important medium of expressing real care in times when we can’t see one another as easily.
Another nice opportunity a friend made me think of: Great time to learn each other’s blessings and greetings when we meet. Today, my friend’s taught me theirs, from their country.
It’s important to practice actively blessing on another in times of isolation. Let’s teach one another our favorite blessings and practice by actively blessing one another.
One rabbi put it:
We are hoping that to dwell more in a social Sabbath or forced fast, will allow the other normal rhythms of our days, when they return, to become more meaningful, the food of friendship and community, tasting even better!
In short, every situation can become a spiritual growth point, or living tabernacle if we stay attuned to what matters, and walk in Peace. And though these are extremely challenging and socially disorienting times, it is possible to grow through them. To come out the other side, caring more for our neighbors, ourselves and one another. Let’s let it form us like that friends! What is formed in the night, is seen in the Day! This is certainly night for most of us, let’s glow in the dark, and then shine again in the coming days together.
Look forward to hearing your ideas friends, of potential ways to live well in these challenging times, or things your learning already through these tumultuous and sometimes isolating, or even boring for some, nights and days friends. Let’s collaborate with that Hope and even boldly with Joy, and one another, during and then after this current crisis! And let me know what you’re learning! Night gleanings from one another, are the best! Roots aren’t seen, but the tree is impossible without them.
Until we meet again-thinking and praying for you all;
Your always friend,
Derek
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