Image Description: A dandelion grows the cracks.
This week, I’m creating blog post reflections based on Psalm 23.
Part 3:
“He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.”
Restoration…
As we’re taking intentional precautions collectively to slow the spread of COVID-19, we’re hearing about destruction. We know that some are experiencing the pains of this time quite directly. Some are hospitalized, and some are distanced from loved ones they cannot visit in nursing homes and living facilities.
Restoration…
As we’re taking intentional efforts personally to recapture the pieces of normalcy that we can, we’re hearing about disruption. At the moment, everyone I know is experiencing the pain of this disruption quite directly, though to varying degrees. We are mostly indoors, separated from communities and friends. Many people are losing income as businesses are closing and gigs are being canceled. Some are feeling loneliness and panic. These forms of disruption impact our physical, mental, emotional, and financial health.
Restoration…
— And —
As we’re taking intentional measures to live this time together, might we also hear about restoration? Is it possible that in this time, some of the best of us might arise too?
There’s no need to sugarcoat the destruction and disruption. We are seeing it, experiencing it, and feeling it. It’s real.
But I also wonder…
–Could this moment restore pieces of who we are? Pieces we thought we lost?
–Could this moment restore awareness of what’s most important to us?
–Could this moment restore the use of skills and talents we haven’t used in a long time?
–Could this moment restore the knowledge that we really belong to community?
–Could this moment restore a greater sense of solidarity?
–Could this moment restore our generous giving?
–Could this moment restore the some of best or ourselves, individually and collectively?
Along the destruction and disruption, I’m going to look for this too.
Smuggling Grace 