Pastor Annette's Blog
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
![]() September 10, 2024 Beloved: I am so sorry to disappear without warning for two whole weeks but I suddenly had better things to do, specifically a new grandbaby, who came 18 days before his due date. To quote Mary Poppins, he’s practically perfect in every way and his mama is doing well too. His sister, who turns 3 today, was my main responsibility along with meals, laundry and dogs, and is completely in love with her brother, though she has made it clear, I don’t like this crying. I lived at their house a week and have come and gone since, but we are all settling into the wonder of a whole new human being in our midst. Ah, change – the greatest delight and deepest distress of life. Depending entirely upon if we chose to change or if change chose us. We may actively anticipate change the way families prepare for a new baby, “nesting” it’s called. Other times life goes from sugar to salt in the time it takes to cross the room or to read a single text message. In both, sweetness is to be found on the other side of the transition. The difference is how long it takes. A pediatrician I know says the four-month checkup is when they notice families with a newborn are usually into their new normal. Two years, more or less, is what therapists tell clients recovering from divorce. After seven years, the death of a child begins to soften in the hearts and minds of parents. Soften, not recover or heal, just soften. But truth be told, each person’s healing or transition after change takes as long as it takes. No matter how well we plan nor how great a surprise the change, our hearts’ and minds’ adjustment is real. New habits and routines take time, longer still if trauma has occurred. Even a welcome new baby comes with some trauma to their mama! A therapist once told me that human beings seem to have a built-in resistance to change. I notice it in my tendency to be excited about a big trip until the week before I leave, then I don’t want to go. I get anxious about packing and travel logistics. Once I’m on the way, I’m excited again but for those few days I feel the inertia that wants me stuck in the self that hasn’t gone new places, seen new sights, met new people, done new things. That is, the self that hasn’t changed. The simple-but-not-so-easy solution is to keep packing and drive to the airport, the ordinary tasks of moving forward while being gentle with my fearful self all the while. She is going to be fine. Better than fine, actually. She is going to be amazing. Whatever change you are facing or is facing you, keep going. Keep going through the ordinary motions this day requires, and be as tenderhearted and kind to yourself as you can. I look forward to seeing you at our regular programming this week. ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette
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I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC. It is also posted here.
Enjoy! Pastor Annette Copyright
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February 2025
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