Something New

Thus says the Lord, Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.  Isaiah 65:17

Holy cow this is so weird!  I’ve struggled to write because I was trying so hard to write something light and joyful and funny because I thought that’s what we needed but the stuff just wouldn’t come.  I started working on this post yesterday and couldn’t string together more than a few sentences so I’d delete and wait.  I poured coffee and did morning prayers at 5:30 this morning and still couldn’t write so I put it away and went to Mass in my sweats asking the Holy Spirit to fill my page with the words someone might need to hear today.

In the first reading today from  the Prophet Isaiah we read the words…I am about to create new heavens and a new earth.  Well, that’s one way to look at these strange days.  We surely are in the middle of something new aren’t we.  The reading goes on to talk about the joy and love and happiness that will come from this new creation.  It made me think of the three times in life I spent hours in labor giving birth to the three little Wohlferts.  Phew…that was some suffering for sure but it brought forth life and happiness and joy I can’t even describe.  I don’t want a re-do on those labor hours but they led to something so amazing.  Maybe that’s what we’re in the middle of today; maybe that’s what Isaiah was trying to help us understand.  In order for me to rejoice in the Kevin, the Jason and the Shannon I had to let all the pain and the worry and the wonder and uncertainty wash over me.  Maybe that’s what we need to do with this strange time…let it wash over us and feel it instead of analyzing the snot out of it and trying to respond and react according to the latest article or news report.

So lets decide a few things for ourselves and invite God into the “washing over.”  

*It’s a little scary…we haven’t done this before and we don’t know how long it will last or  what to expect.  It’s ok to be scared, say it out loud to someone and then remember that fear is not of God…peace is of God and he has plenty to go around if we ask him every time we feel that fear wash over us, to flood us with his peace instead.  Stop whatever you’re doing and say the words…”Lord, take this fear and fill me with your peace!” take a deep breath and say it again as many times as it takes to feel the peace replace the fear.

*We have no control…for real…we don’t!  For every planner, organizer, scheduler type person out there this is kicking us in the pants isn’t it!  For those with the overwhelming desire to stand on something tall and scream, “Stop this, it isn’t on my agenda and I don’t have time for this craziness!” its’ ok, go ahead and scream it, you’ll feel better.  When you’re done screaming, make a new agenda!  Put new stuff on your list; fun stuff, silly stuff, lazy stuff, things I never have time to get to stuff.  In a time when we may feel like we have no purpose never underestimate the accomplished feeling of looking into a silverware drawer with no bread crumbs!  Clean something, organize a closet or a drawer, do something that gives you a feeling of accomplishment and then sit still and be quiet acknowledging the perfection, love and grace of the one who truly is in control…give him permission to be and pray for the grace to accept the rest and re-set he’s giving us.

*We are suffering…each in different ways…at different levels.  We’re missing stuff, we’re uncertain and disappointed and sad.  There are a million “I don’t know’s” floating in our minds and hearts and boy do we hate that.  We have to do our own cooking and we’re apprehensive about going to the store.  We are worried about getting sick.  We’re confused about who to believe.  We’re running out of ways to entertain our kids and ourselves.  We’re worried about jobs and money and stocks.  Let it wash over you  and call it what it is…suffering.  The good news about suffering is that it is an immediate path to Jesus.  We’re all called to suffer but we have to learn to do it right.  Our prayer is not Lord take it away, our prayer is Lord please use this suffering for good.  Each time my mind starts spinning I stop and say, “Lord please use this suffering for a soul in great need.”  It gives it a purpose…it gives it a use…it makes all of this seem to matter for something good. My mom always said, “Never waste your suffering.” I think Gods greatest raw material for building greatness is our suffering so make sure to offer him all of yours so he can do mighty works.

*Tell yourself the truth. Great good will come from this…God will protect his people…Some of us will get sick…Worried moments should be the times we stop and pray…What other time in our lives has our newsfeed been full of people going to church in the living room…Priests and Pastors are dong amazing things to bring together the faithful giving us the opportunity to be more faithful than fretful…We will be changed and if we hold on to God’s hand we will ABSOLUTELY be changed for the better.  

God loves us too much to leave us stuck here, this won’t last forever and we will truly be OK!  There will soon come the day when we laugh easier and we will go back to full churches and hugs from grandkids and fully stocked shelves but this isn’t that time…this is labor and because we as Christians believe in the promises of the God who loves us…there will be new life.

A Seed To Plant: Make a list of ten people you miss seeing and pray for them.  If you get all your closets cleaned and windows washed and wonder what to do next, write them a note or send them a text to let them know you thought of them and said a prayer for them.​

Blessings on your day!