Hi friends,
In case anyone else is feeling alone or overwhelmed, here is a little story:
Last week I wanted to make pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.
First, we made the eggs and bacon way too early and they were cold by the time I even started cooking the pancakes. Then, the pancakes (gluten-free) failed epically.
I got bread out to make French toast instead, but then the dog grabbed the whole bag of bread off the counter and ate it while I was scraping the pancake batter off of the pan. I got mad at everyone. We turned off the music. The kids got quiet. Things were tense. I found more bread in the freezer and we made French toast, and we relaxed a little, and the kids told me they liked French toast better than pancakes anyway. It all worked out (sort of)! Then I remembered it was Tuesday and we totally missed Zoom ballet. AH!
This morning as I was smearing a little butter on some toast, this quote from Tolkien came to mind. Bilbo, the very aged hobbit, is speaking:
"Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: Like butter that has been scraped over too much bread."
I looked at the toast and realized it takes a LOT of butter to really fill the tiny little air holes and get it all the way to the edges, and it made me wonder if we will ever have enough butter again. For nearly a year of pandemic life we have been trying to cover SO many places (and Zoom calls) with our worn out bodies, minds, and hearts. It's too much.
I am reading a book about Jesus called, "Gentle and Lowly," and it talks about how the yoke of Jesus is kindness. How mysterious! I wonder how we can take up this yoke? How do we receive the kindness of Jesus? What does that even look like?It's easy to say "trade your burdens for Jesus' kindness!" but how do we do that when many of life's burdens feel inescapable? I really don't know. But I would like to pray a blessing for you all anyway:
For those who feel like butter scraped over too much bread:
May the gentle kindness of Jesus cling lightly to your shoulders.
May it stretch out to fill every empty space.
May there be no room for heavy burdens--hidden or seen.
When trials still come, may the Spirit advocate for you.
And may God, who is Love, be near to you always.
I am praying for you, today!
-Flo