"Let It Fall"
by Rev. Dr. Amy Chilton on 11/17/23
What a few weeks we have had at my house! Between my daughter getting a concussion at PE and a medical crisis of my own, we have been in two emergency rooms, the urgent care, and about 6 doctor’s appointments. Many lovely folks in our PMBC family have reached out to check on us and see if they can help, and many of those check-ins have included the refrain: let things go and focus on your health.
But letting go of all the things isn’t ever easy, especially right before the church’s busiest season. I have to plan the Christmas (eve eve eve) service, make sure Advent is ready to launch, write sermons, etc. ALL THE THINGS.
I think you can resonate with me - it really is hard to let things go and be okay that in the end those things might come out “just ok” and that “just ok” really is “ok.” There are times we have to listen to these wonderfully complex bodies God gave us and trust that in doing so, the rest will sort itself out well enough.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that times and seasons and the things we do in them will flex and change:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Reading this from my own current medical situation reminds me that things won’t always stay this way. But, also that God is present in all the circumstances we find ourselves in. And no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, God is present with us - which is something to give serious thanks for.
Paul called his followers to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
So, today I give thanks for how I have witnessed this church body rise up and care for us when we both had to stop and listen to the wisdom of our bodies. I give thanks that God promises to be with us in all things. And I rejoice that I don’t hold the whole world on my shoulders - especially when they are this tired!
Friends, for whatever time or season you find yourself in, my prayer is that you too find things for which to give thanks, that you listen to the wisdom of your wonderfully created body, and that you too might let go of the belief that you have to balance it all on your own shoulders.
Blessings,
Pastor Amy
PS - here is a fun listen by my favorite band: Let it Fall
