It has been a long while since I’ve dusted off this blog. Life for many of us has shifted over the past year. Covid-19 has been a powerful disruptor in almost every aspect of our life and while things are opening up, this pandemic isn’t over yet.

One of the things that has come clear through this is how very resilient and creative we can be. It has shown us who is there for us when we hit an emotional wall. It has taught us that a slower pace in life is not a bad thing. It has brought us lessons about how we cope with line ups and masks and those whose views on vaccines and masks differ from our own.

Looking back on the past year, what was an outstanding moment for you? Perhaps it was seeing family members in person for the first time in a while. Perhaps it was a negative covid test. Perhaps it was time to break out the paints or pick up the guitar. Maybe it was learning the value of letting go. For me, it was the long stretches of being home feeling secure. I wrote books of prayer, I made memes Like the one above). I recorded. I napped. This doesn’t mean it was idyllic. There were challenges, hardships and true disappointments. That is just life. But there seemed to be an extra dollop of Grace to carry me and I know my angels were working overtime.

How about you? As you look back what was the greatest lesson you faced? What was the biggest challenge? What did you learn about yourself? What work is ongoing?

I am a big proponent of journalling. It is a wonderful way to capture the things bouncing around our heads onto paper. It can bring clarity and a measure of relief. When I am feeling overwhelmed or out of balance, it is a way for me to express what I am feeling and take a look at it. That can be really helpful and sometimes surprising. Maybe it can work for you, too.

Another help? I have my favorite prayers that remind me of God’s loving presence and the holy angels that care for me and for all.

One of my go to prayers is the Serenity Prayer. It helps me figure out what I can do and what I can’t – and find peace in it all. And -bonus- I can journal with it for deeper understanding.

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.

That is my prayer for all this day. That we would have peace, that we will do what we can to make improvements in our own lives, accept what is beyond us and have that inner knowing that all will be well.

Stay well and stay strong.
Bishop Deb