Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The Message
​
It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.


After more than a year of in person community being limited to screens and small gatherings, I've been craving more in person community connection. I'm so grateful for my soul friends - near and far - online and in person! And, I always long for more of those strands because I know I'm better together than alone.  And I'm not alone in that. In listening during spiritual direction sessions, I have heard many prayers muttered for more authentic in person connection. Maybe you've missed your small group or worship. Maybe you've missed your in person yoga class or book club. Whatever it is you've been missing most, let that help you re-enter more purposefully into community connection. Let the longings help you find or sustain authentic connection! 

This season of disconnection has helped many of us realize how important connection is in our lives (and to realize what relationships may not have been fruitful too)! We've found ways to connect or stay connected. But what will return to your schedule and what won't? What authentic relationships do you need to continue or what do you need to let go of? God created us for community, not to live life solo! Scripture reminds us, we're better together. Who are you doing life with?

I'm so grateful through our Peace Seekers Community I've been able to hold space for authentic connection near and far in this past year online! Many of us are now pondering how to authentically show up after such a long season of being tucked safely behind our screens. I've pondered this for myself and have created some journaling prompts for you below.

Consider these journaling prompts:

• Who are you in purposeful community with (who do you prioritize time with that you share common interests or goals)?
• Who are you connected with based on vicinity (who are your neighbors, co-workers, or others you spend time with based on your location or schedule)?
• How do they serve you (how does being around these people make you a better person, or does it)? 
• How do you serve them (how do you help these people)?
• How do you meet God there (is faith a common denominator, do you see God at work among this group)?
• How do you serve God there (in what ways are you shining God's light and allowing others to see God through you)?
• Is there space on your calendar for discovering new soul friends or community that fills you up and cares for your soul? 
• If your calendar is crowded, what might you release in order to cultivate your soul care more purposefully?
• What might the answers to these questions allow you to notice about how you long to spend your time in community and connection with others? What are you longing for in regards to community and connection? 
• Who has supported you in the past in your faith journey? Pause with the meditation below to imagine their faces and give thanks for your community, past and present. 

We pondered these questions in our online community this week and it made us more grateful for purposeful soul friends. If you're looking for authentic connection, consider joining us there. 

All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 12:30 - 4:30 PM at Lebanon First UMC in Lebanon, Tennessee.

You're invited to join us for a reflective day apart offering space for God's wisdom through presence, intentional silence, and words from the Saints before us.

Space is limited to 20 participants, please RSVP to save your spot. Your registration and $15 check must be received by 10/23/20 (or until the retreat is full). Our day retreat will be socially distanced with plenty of room outdoors (bring a lawn chair, a blanket, pillow, or anything that makes you comfortable settling in for reflection). You'll receive a journal, guided prayer prompts, access to a hot beverage station and a warm fire. In case of inclement weather, please bring a mask for safety of all participants so that we may enjoy reflection time in the sanctuary and chapel.

This event is open to the entire community and is hosted by Lebanon First UMC. Our time in reflection will be facilitated by Whitney R. Simpson of Exploring Peace Ministries.

To Register:

• Contact Rebecca Dixon at 615-444-3315 or children@lebanonfumc.com
• Send your $15 check to: Lebanon First UMC, 415 West Main Street Lebanon, TN 37087

seismic shift, noun: a great change
​
Gracious, friends. The last time I posted anything at the blog was April. It's now...October. I had no idea it had been so long since I sat down here to write. What happened? I'm "supposed to be" a writer!
 
Well, I think it's a combination of quite a few things. The first component is grace. YAY for grace! I am discovering the grace to let go of my "perfect plan" and realize if you don't get a blog post from me, it is quite likely...you do not even miss it. After all, you're bombarded with words from every direction on a moment by moment basis. A dormant blog does not cause a seismic shift. 

But life surely does! And, sometimes you get stuck before you can shift. Who is with me?

What has led me to my recent shift? A perfect combination of season of life challenges like parenting (being a mom to a teen is so very different than being a mom to a toddler, I'm learning) and healthcare needs (I haven't had a thyroid since I was 18 years old and my body is experiencing a shift in hormones too, anybody relate?). Nothing huge on its own, but definitely plenty of change. And I got stuck amidst the change. Stuck in my head. Stuck in my body. Stuck.

My stuck spirit needed a shift. My soul needed some TLC. Pardon me for not taking the time to share much of this shift. So, since I get asked a lot for resources, I thought popping in to share some of my recent shifting tools may be helpful. 

My soul care toolbox currently includes: 

• Prayer of Examen (this helps me discover the stuck places and to foster gratitude for the good)
• Meditation - with either the Insight Timer or ​Pray as You Go Apps on my phone
• Energy Work/Reiki Balancing (more on this in a future post, I get so many questions lately about energy work)
• Daily Walks (outdoors or on the treadmill), often with Oprah's Super Soul Podcast
• Yoga Practice (at home with my book or in the studio) 
• Aromatherapy (I'm loving the Sacral blend from Imani, use my code for a gift if you order from them: exploringpeace)
• My Journal (ever tried morning pages?)
• Spiritual Direction
• Counseling/Therapy
• Professional and Personal Accountability Groups (who are your people?)
• Traveling with my family
• Last but definitely not least, Historical Fiction from my local library!

NOTE: I feel like this is really important to say because people assume since soul care is my passion that I experience bliss-filled consistent meditations and hear from God every time I sit down to pray or practice. Ummmm, no. It's a practice to embrace any of these and to care for yourself, my friends. Don't think it has to be perfect or ideal. Simply start where you are and practice. It's in the practice that we find the shift.

How do you care for your body and your soul when you need to shift? Sometimes it takes getting stuck to realize we can indeed create great change in our lives and shift toward God's peace with purposeful practices and habits. If you're stuck, I pray you find a seismic shift! Let me know if you explore some of these tools and how they offer you peace on your journey. What's in your soul care toolbox these days?