I find myself having a 'short fuse' these days. I get irritated with small stuff, frustrated at slow drivers,
poor customer service, and programs that don't work. As I was reflecting about that I realize how
uncertain life is right now. As a person of trauma, unpredictability creates stress, and I have to spend
more time on my own mental health, meditation, prayer, and sit more in nature.
As I look around it is everywhere, people driving through red lights, people yelling in stores, board meetings that go haywire, politics that neglect civility, youth driving their bikes through traffic with no regards for their lives, church leaders misusing their powers, teachers berating children. We live in
uncertain times and it shows. My heart aches for the trauma we are all experiencing on daily basis. My
heart aches for the children who have to worry at school, fearing that they might not see their parents again, or that they are being shot. My heart aches for the workers, whose jobs are uncertain in light of all the technology changes. My heart aches for the seniors who have to decide whether to have food or
to get their medication. My heart aches!
And yet I see so many good things, community events that bring people together, people whose passion is to help people and put aside their own agenda, churches that come together to worship God, teachers
who go out of their way to help children, leaders who try to make wise decisions.
There is an old song (written in 1752) "Be still my soul" Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side. Bear
patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order and provide In every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend. Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still my
soul."
—
God is with you.
I asked Chat GPT to translate it to contemporary English: "Be still, my soul When grief or pain feels heavy, carry it with patience. Trust Him to guide, to provide, to arrange all things. Through every change, His faithfulness never fails. Be still, my soul your truest, closest friend will lead you,
even through thorny paths, toward joy at the journey's end. Be still, my soul."
As I step into this week, I want to be fully present. I want to see the pain people experience and lighten their
burdens, I want to stand by people who struggle. I want to stand in the gap. But I also want to make sure that
I have a good mind and heart. What will you choose to do?