Goodness Weekly 1.23.23
“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.”
– Fred Rogers
What’s Good:
Last week we hosted a group of 12 leaders who are part of a Wesley Seminary cohort from the D.C. area and spent the week in San Antonio visiting communities doing innovative work within faith-based contexts. We welcomed them into our beautiful chapel and shared the story of the vision we’ve been called to work for the flourishing of one another and our neighborhood. We got to enjoy a lovely dinner together in our chapel classroom and heard their inspiring stories and dreams for their own communities back home. It is such a joy to connect with others who are on similar paths.
Message from Jess:
When I imagined what my sabbatical this past October would be like, I pictured lots of quiet, meditative time—perhaps a silent retreat center, time out in nature, reading, praying, and resting.
Because sabbatical is serious work, I decided to spend the first two days in the most magical place on earth—Disneyland!
I don’t believe there are coincidences as far as God is concerned and now, as I reflect on that time, the reality that I began my sabbatical at Disneyland is certainly not coincidental.
For two whole days I rested mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through the gift of play and wonder with my beautiful five-year-old daughter. While it seemed a bit ridiculous at first, this magical place ended up being exactly the kind of ridiculous that I needed to be able to snap out of the mental and emotional fatigue I was carrying.
I experienced wonder through my own eyes and through the eyes of my daughter as we played together. We rode rides, watched music, explored, ate ice cream, laughed, ran, and stayed up too late.
Even reflecting on it months later, I find my spirit reentering that precious time where wonder and beauty and magic slow everything down and where God is experienced as presence, inviting me to join in.
Often Shiloh will say, “I wish I didn’t have to go to school and could just be a grown up.” My response is often something like Billy Madison grabbing her cheeks and saying, “Stay here as long as you can!” We grown ups can take things far too seriously—we carry life around like a burden and our stress as a badge of honor to show how busy and important we are.
But God calls us to a different way—a way of light burdens and easy yokes; a way of hope and joy and peace. Life is hard, and to be human is to suffer, and to be human is also to love and to experience joy.
This week I invite you to do something playful. Maybe it’s putting on your favorite song and dancing by yourself, or going on a park swing or slide, or getting on the floor with your toddler and seeing the wonderous world through their eyes.
May we be people who aren’t afraid; we can’t know what’s ahead, but we can live into the fullness of the present moment with great intention and great joy.
May you have the vision to see the Divine dance you’ve been invited into, opening your arms and spinning in the spacious fields, and welcoming every bit of freedom that comes along with it.
Love, Jess
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 29th, 4:30pm Chapel Worship
Sunday, February 5th, 4:30pm Supper Church
Saturday, February 11th, 9:30am Story Time & Coffee Soft Launch on the front lawn!
Sunday, February 12th, 12:00pm Waffles & Worship on the front lawn
Wednesday, January 11th, 7:30-9:00pm Youth Group at The Stirmans
Inhale:
You delight in me
Exhale:
I can let go and experience joy
