Happy To Be Back

For where two or three gather in my name, I am there among them.’ Matthew 18:20

The past two weeks have been  a giant “welcome back”! I didn’t realize how much I missed live ministry and physical connection until it came barreling back into my calendar.  I’ve been meeting with teacher friends, celebrating weddings and presenting teacher retreats.  I’m typing this blog from a teeny airport in Kearney Nebraska at the tail end of a fabulous weekend spent with  some beautiful Catholic women.  My heart is so full and I am so grateful to have been a part of the two or three or many who have gathered!  

After months of very little on my calendar, it took a bit of recalibrating to get back into full school/ministry mode. As I have been traveling this month I realize we are all readjusting.  Some folks are are like labrador retriever puppies released from a basket.  They are so happy and exited and they wanna hug everyone and talk to everyone and be right next to everyone. I’ve discovered some folks are fearful and nervous about being out and about.  They want to keep their distance and they want others to do the same.  The third group of people I notice are those who really aren’t sure what to feel.  Guess what…they are all ok!  Each group is right…each reaction is correct.  I’ve gotten much better these past few weeks at noticing, observing and respecting.  I suppose those are skills we can all work on a little.

I’d like to thank the lovely ladies in Nebraska and the beautiful Catholic School Teachers I’ve spent time with this month for some great lessons.  I’ve learned that you can see people smile even if they’re wearing a mask.  I’ve learned you can sense emotion and offer comfort even if you’re six feet apart.  I’ve learned that we truly are made for connection.  I’ve learned that despite the apprehension about a virus, most folks really want to get back to some kind of regular or familiar.  I’ve learned that compassion trumps opinion and listening is more therapeutic than ever.  I’ve learned that this pandemic has affected us deeply and so very differently and those differences are best handled with understanding and respect.  It really isn’t a good time to pick sides because when we’re fragile, confrontation just adds to the brokenness and division we are all desperately trying to figure out and mend.

I have tremendous respect for leaders who are responsible for bringing people back together.  I’m thankful for teachers who are coming back because they love kids and they know they have to figure out how to get them together because they need it so much.  I’m thankful for a group of Nebraska women who choose to attend a Catholic Conference and open up their worried hearts to the love of the Father.  I’m in awe of the people who shared their struggles and their burdens with me this month, reminding me that we desperately need connection so we can share and laugh and pray and sometimes cry together about the craziness that has swirled around us these past months.  Mostly I have realized how important it is to pray for each other and remember everyone is trying to do the best they can and when we do gather, know He is there too.

A Seed To Plant:  This week pray for school teachers and leaders as they prepare to welcome kids back to school…however that looks.

Blessings on your day!