Welcome to Annapolis: Calvary Church’s daily reflection during this National and World Health Crisis.
To day the theme of the day is…anger? Is this a good way to start off a beautiful day Of all people, I think I should not be angry. I have a super wife, fantastic family, good friends, shelter from the cold, plenty to eat, safe community, hard working people in government to protect me, and more.
What do I have to be angry about? I am not sick. I am safe. I am loved and cared for and have people that I love and care for. Even during this health crisis, I am well situated to survive and persevere. I have books to read and a TV to watch to keep up with the news.
What do I have to be angry about? Well…my computer does not seem to do what I want it to do and that makes me angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Truth be told, I suspect I am not talented enough to give the proper command. Deep down, I can sense that my computer truly does want to follow my lead. It is even anxious to obey my command. I guess we just do not speak the same language. How can this be? It makes no sense…now I am angry again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know, I have all these cool apps and programs and access that allows me to discover what is happening in Europe or Egypt or around the Equator. And yet, I cannot seem to discover the right button to push or program to download so as to send a message from one side of Annapolis to the other; and I get angry again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know, I decided, well I will tap into the writings and research of Elisabeth Kubler Ross’ 8 stages of grief. After all, if I am going through there must be at least one other person experiencing a bit of anger. I typed in the 8 stages of grief; the list comes right up (this is cool) only to discover that the list has 7 stages…if you want the 8
th
stage you had to enter another program with advertisements, inquires, etc. gurrrrrrrrrr…. angry again (but now I
know I am at least at level “three” on the scale!!!!!!!!!!! 😊
This is when I sit back…pause…breathe…and look around me and out the window…and recognize that in the great cosmic experience of life and love and purpose and destiny and faith my anger is NOT where I want to be or live, and I let it go. Let it go. LET it go. Let IT go. Let it GO!
And I turn to the 8
th
BCE prophet named Isaiah and his 40
th
chapter.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives POWER to the faint, and STRENGTHENS the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall RENEW their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
(Isaiah 40: 28-31 ‘capital’ words=my emphasis)
Where are you on this unexpected March/April 2020 health crisis journey? How are you? How’s your anger? How’s your love for God and neighbor?
Keep strong! You have been given POWER over the enemies of darkness. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; the creative power and love of God the Father; and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit sustain you now and always. Amen. Be Well; Stay Safe.
Blessings,
COLink,
Annapolis: Calvary UM Church
Building a Bridge of Faith for all of God’s children through Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness
