Reflections from Pastor Whitney:
Coloring books are a source of creativity and calm for me. I hadn’t used my colored pencils and coloring books for awhile, but this past week I got them out. I know many people are experiencing “storm” and loss at varying degrees right now. For many people they have had to cancel long planned events and trips. Some people are not able to be together with some of their closest family and friends. Grandparents are having to love grandkids from a distance. Some are battling an unknown sickness. 17,480 (and counting) families worldwide are mourning the loss of a loved one to this virus. Let’s agree to hold our loss in perspective, while not diminishing the real pain we are experiencing. For me, it was the phone call from the hospital canceling one of two ultrasounds I was to have during my pregnancy to check on my baby’s health and development. Knowing it will now be at least 8 weeks until I get to have another ultrasound, and even then my husband might not be allowed to come to that appointment, I am anxious and heartbroken. I can’t tell you the joy and excitement I had to see our baby. It was something I had been looking forward to for weeks, when so much seemed uncertain. And it is our first baby, so I am feeling robbed of these precious milestones.
I’m finding comfort in this coloring page and in Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Are there losses you’re grieving now? Are the places you’re finding solace? If you’re comfortable with sharing them confidentially or communally through the weekly email, contact me and we can carry each other in this season.