30 Days of Gratitude
I posted this on my Facebook page as I have been sharing my gratitude every day of the month of November. I think it's a good thing to acknowledge. Crying is a good thing. Even Jesus knew that.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 30: On this final day of November, I am grateful for tears and good friends and family. They have been like bosom buddies for me. Like many of you, this has been the hardest year and a half in my life. Family health issues, jobs overwhelming me, distance isolating me, and too much loss and pain for so many people I love. Like you, I lived with exhaustion, frustration, depression, sorrow, pain, fear, and so much that was and still is unknown. Social justice and equality issues reared their heads and called for attention and intention even as we became more and more weary. And like Jesus, we cried.

But this was also a time period that I feel I did some of my best preaching, teaching, and leading. I cried more tears than can ever be counted. At times I sat in my car or office and just wept. But I also laughed on family Zoom calls as my parents at times struggled with technology. I found you all on the other side of the camera lens as I preached. I prayed for all who have been touched by COVID19. I shook my head as Shelby raised ducks to keep busy. I danced in the middle of the kitchen with Cindy just because we could. I spent countless hours on the phone with family and friends checking in on my Dad and just caring for each other. I lost count of the Zooms I was part of; sometimes 20+ hours a week. And I cried.

We have all gotten through it. Some with more wounds than others. Some with more losses than others. We're still standing. Some weeping almost every day. But we're still standing. We are called to be faithful and full of love. We are called to embrace the possibility of new adventures and new ways of being the church and communities of compassion. You all have been part of that and I am grateful for each and every one of you. I weep with joy for the community we have formed. I remind myself that it's ok to not be ok. And it's ok to cry at the sad parts.

God loves you and so do I.

Pastor Karyn