Emergency Lights

 

I went to Lidl yesterday per my normal Sunday morning routine, 

Only the trip wasn’t normal because 

The lights were out! 

As I rounded the corner to go inside, 

I hesitated,

Wondering if they were even open, 

Until I saw the sign that said,

“Lighting issue. We are aware and working on it.”

And so I went in to shop. 

Only the emergency lights were on,

Not the fluorescent overheads that usually light the store, 

And yet there was just enough light to see. 

 

Life is difficult. 

Real people have real problems that are not easily solved 

And the world seems dark: 

Sickness and disease. 

Divorce and single parenting. 

Eating disorders and mental health issues. 

Economic hardship and job insecurity. 

Political and racial tensions. 

Death and dying. 

Being trapped and feeling resentment. 

The darkness is real. 

But so is the light. 

 

It may not be a fluorescent light that makes everything bright, 

But an emergency light is always shining 

And providing just enough light to see. 

A smile. 

A hug.

A cardinal. 

A rainbow. 

A meal paid for in the drive thru. 

A check received in the mail. 

A text. 

A phone call. 

A letter in the mail. 

A visit from a friend.

 

May we be a people aware of lighting issues 

In the lives of those around us, 

And may we work on them

Through our very presence, 

Grounded in emergency light 

And love. 

 

Amen. 

Deconstructing Faith

 

For over fifteen years

I wholeheartedly and unapologetically

Devoted my life to empowering women, 

Especially young women, 

On their faith journeys.

I worked with an organization whose primary focus is women

And how women can use their lives to serve others on mission.

I lived, breathed, and dreamed my work with the organization 

And I believed in it so much that I chose to ignore a blaring truth:

The organization’s primary ministry partner 

Ultimately does not support women. 

 

I believed that the good outweighed the bad. 

I believed that women needed a challenging yet encouraging voice of support from within. 

I believed that I could stand in the middle between conservative and liberal beliefs. 

I believed that I could make a difference. 

And I did.

I know that. 

 

But I have come to realize that the biggest difference that was made

Was not me on the system,

But the system on me.

 

After years and years and years

Of overtly and covertly hearing and seeing

That women are inferior to men,

That women can serve in churches but not be the pastor,

That women must be submissive to their husbands no matter the cost,

That Christians should hate the sin but love the sinner,

That other religions are bad and wrong,

That Christianity is a conquest, 

That we will one day be held accountable for the souls we saved, 

That humankind is wretched and depraved and that we are nothing save for the blood of Jesus Christ,

I realized that there had to be more to the narrative. 

 

I realized that the extremely damning and negative view I had of myself 

Was suffocating and causing me to live in fear and shame and resentment.

And that’s not how I believed God wanted 

me to live.

 

Deconstructing faith is hard. 

Naming the beliefs that have influenced us, and realizing that they no longer jive with who we have become is challenging. 

This is the questioning stage of faith, 

When faith becomes our own, 

And when we no longer simply associate with the groups that have formed us. 

 

For all those years,

I did my best with the information and experience that I had.

But when the system is trying to control you and hold power over you

Through micro aggressions masked as morals and absolute truth

It’s hard to know that you need to break free.

 

May we all break free from the chains that bind 

And the deep rooted systems that try to tell us that we are less than because of 

Gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status, education level, or anything else that does not fit the 1950’s American dream. 

 

God is so much bigger than we make God

And God‘s love is so much deeper than we can comprehend.

May we learn to empower others with that love and 

May we be exactly who God made us to be—

Without a glass ceiling of limits.

 

Amen.

One Letter

 

A few months ago,

I saw a friend’s Facebook post about an interest meeting for a mission trip to Belize.

Something stirred within me and

I found myself at the meeting the next day.

After listening to the trip leader talk passionately about the work he’s been doing in the area for well over a decade,

And after asking quite a few questions to make sure the trip did not conflict with my theological beliefs,

I found myself agreeing to go on the trip.

 

We will be a team of four,

Traveling in July,

I will be the only female,

And we will be doing construction work,

Which is odd for me,

Because I’m not known for my construction prowess,

Although I have become pretty good with a hammer!

 

For months,

I didn’t hear anything about the trip.

I was becoming anxious knowing so little and wondering so much,

So I finally wrote my friend to check in and ask for information.

“Have you not been getting the team lead’s e-mails?” he asked.

“No.” I responded. “I’ve heard nothing.”

“Ahhhhhh,” he said. “No wonder you haven’t responded.”

 

The team lead had the wrong e-mail address.

 

Instead of dldeaton, he had dideaton.

 

A seemingly minor mistake,

But a huge error when it comes to vital communication.

 

My inbox now has a handful of messages from the team lead.

I know how much I owe ($1500) and I know how to make it through customs.

I have my medical form to fill out and I see which shots I need to take.

Now…

I wait…

And I pray…

And I ask you to pray with me, too.

For a great trip,

A safe trip,

Smooth travels,

Funding,

Safety on the work sight,

Good health,

No sickness or injury,

Good fellowship that transcends language barriers,

Comfortable weather,

Clean water,

Non-infectious mosquitoes,

And God’s love to be seen and felt through word, deed, and action.

 

Amen.

Pivot

 

Due to an unexpected death in her family,

The person who was supposed to lead the movement portion of our retreat last weekend was unable to attend. 

While she felt comfortable doing creative movement and liturgical dance,

Neither Jes, Heidi (Not The Librarian), or I did. 

 

Sometimes you have to pivot. 

 

On our way down to SC, 

Jes and I consulted YouTube videos and ChatGPT 

To find an activity that we thought would be appropriate for the weekend. 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, 

We were able to pull together a gentle movement meditation

That resonated with a lot of women.

 

Maybe it will resonate with you too.

 

Feel free to use this in your own personal quiet time

Or with a group.

The link to the stretches is at the bottom of this note. 

The pivoted meditation is here for you now. 

 

Opening

 

Begin by standing or sitting comfortably. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a deep breath in… and slowly exhale. Again, breathe in deeply, filling your lungs with fresh morning air… and breathe out, releasing any tension. One more time… breathe in… and breathe out.  

 

As you move and stretch, let your heart settle into God’s presence and release your stress to God. God has given you this day, and God walks with you in it.  

 

Neck Rolls & Shoulder Stretches 

 

At shoulder rolls:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10**  

 

Lord, in the stillness of this morning I acknowledge You. You are my refuge and strength. As I stretch, I surrender my worries and plans to You.  

 

Grinder

 

“Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1

 

God, as I step away from my work today, help me find rest in you. Release me from the burdens of my earthly tasks and let me rejoice in the freedom Of your salvation. 

 

Washing (sprinkle, twist, breathe the dirty water out)

 

After explaining the breathing out:

“Create in me a clean heart, oh God. And renew a right spirit within me.”

 

Lord, as I reflect on your grace, wash me and make me new. Cleanse me from unrighteousness and make me one with you. 

 

Side Stretches & Arm Movements 

 

Start during the overhead arm stretch

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

 

God, thank You for the strength You provide. As I move my body, help me remember that true strength comes from You.  

 

Torso Twists

 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” – Lamentations 3:22-23**  

 

Lord, I receive Your new mercies today. Whatever happened yesterday is behind me. Today is a fresh start in Your love. Thank you. 

 

Leg Stretches

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105

 

God, guide my steps today. May I walk in Your light, moving forward in faith, peace, and purpose.  

 

Shake it out

 

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

 

Lord, thank You for this day, this body, and this breath. May I glorify You in all I do. 

 

Closing

 

Please slowly Stand, planting your feet firmly, shoulder length apart. Stand still for a moment. Take one more deep breath in… and exhale slowly.  

 

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

 

Stay in this peace, carrying God’s presence with you as you move through the day.

 

Amen. 

 

https://youtu.be/laIWV6qJWbk