The World We Want to Live In

Sending a selfie to a friend...and to you.

I have felt the need to write for some time, however, I have found myself in “escape” mode, wasting time on things that do not matter in an attempt to self-soothe and “rest” in the midst of two jobs, and just trying to figure out life. Do ya feel me?!?!

Update on Us:

First, in about 2 months I will be joining the Chaplain Residency program at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. This will last for the next year basically from June 2025 to June 2026. It is the first full-time job with benefits since my exit from Olivet as a professor that affords me the opportunity to work one job at a time. I am so grateful. I love working with such an amazing team of people who are committed to the health and wellbeing of children and families. I will be honest and say that there are moments it seems daunting, as there are classes, papers due as well as chaplaincy work. But this is a gift I am grateful to experience!

Next, Ken’s work at another Columbus hospital continues to be a blessing, as he rubs shoulders with so many who open their hearts toward him. He is such a blessing to me as well, as we navigate life that has had a number of twists and turns. (In fact, after one of my recent on-calls that proved challenging and heart-wrenching, Ken looked at me, and through our tears, he said, “Well, if you are still glad to work as a chaplain in a hospital after that night – that’s a really good sign!” And, I say, YES INDEED to that assessment!

Finally, I would ask that you “pray us/me on” as I have just really been challenged by a friend to write my book. I have been thinking about it, but during our phone conversation, she really invited me into this space of wondering at the possibility. I think it’s time, and I am already mapping out plans and thoughts!

Now, onto other thoughts on loving more with less fear!!!

Maria Shriver in her “Sunday Paper” from today, Sunday, 3/24/25 talked about her conversation with a politician. These are her thoughts:

 “The other day, I was speaking to a friend who’s been involved in politics his whole life. It’s been his joy, his passion, and his way of creating a better world. But he no longer believes that politics, as it is today, brings out the best in us. He said, “I’ve got to think. We all have to think how we can be in service to creating the world we want to live in. Every day,” he continued, “I now have to get up and ask myself: Are my words helping create that vision? Are my deeds in sync with that vision? Am I working in ways, big and small, to bring that vision to reality? And am I reaching out to my neighbors—regardless of who they voted for—and talking with them in a calm, non-violent manner? Am I asking them to meet me and/or join me in this endeavor?”

We all have to think how we can be in service to creating the world we want to live in.

In many ways I could say this about pastoring a church. It was my joy, my passion, and my way of creating a better world. But do I believe that it brings out the best in me/us now? Hmmm… A lot has changed, and although I am still a “pastor” it is not in a congregational role. I am a chaplain, I am a lover of people, I am also a colleague to the young people I work with. And, I ask myself, "AM I CREATING A BETTER WORLD?"

Are my words, actions and passion bringing about the best in those around me?

As I look back on my morning at my church today – being a parishioner instead of one of the staff or pastor’s family - I DO believe that The Church for All People here in Columbus IS thinking of how to be of service, they ARE dreaming and working toward the world they want to create, and they SHARE their vision with all of us, so that we can help make this a reality-TOGETHER.

However, in the midst of our work we are finding ourselves exhausted.

I/WE DO reach out to our neighbors, without asking what they believe or who they voted for. Our church continues to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the immigrant, house the homeless, celebrate Christ, welcome the lonely, and host dance parties to celebrate the community that happens as a result of shared commitment to values that are centered on caring for the marginalized, the poor, and the disenfranchised. So, although we met this morning to share Christ, mission and vision, we will meet again tonight to drink coffee, laugh and dance together.

Are we tired? Yes! I hugged and held tight to Pastor Joelle a little longer today because of the struggles we find ourselves involved in. In our desire to love in tangible ways – you know – the Matthew 5 and 25 ways of being salt and light in a tasteless and dark world, and loving our enemies, and caring for the least of these as we would care for Jesus if he were found to be in dire straits - it seems so much harder to accomplish without resources and with the threat of losing even more funding.

 Are we discouraged? Yes, and we find ourselves close to despair were it not for our shared stories and the gravity of our faith in a God who cares and shares our concerns and hopes.

And just this week I read something about HOPE. (I am not sure where I saw it.)

Hope is not an absence of “the hard.” You actually have to acknowledge that there is difficulty to even believe in HOPE! Right?!?! That makes sense to me. Sometimes we have to sit in the darkness for a while, realizing that we cannot fix the majority of the problems, before we can realize that we NEED hope.

Yes, I see my need for hope. I am trying to see it even as I lock eyes with the homeless people at the on and off ramps of our highways wondering, “How long, oh Lord?” I only have a certain amount of resources. Again, I ask, "What is mine to do?" And then, I need to get to it when I find the answers.

Jason Mraz has a song that helps me.

“Look for the Good.” These are a few of the phrases that I picked up:

“Look for the good in everyone. Look for the good in everything. Look for the people who will set your soul free. Everyone needs sunshine. Everyone needs rain. Everyone is carrying around some kind of pain. I get lost sometimes, and I forget what I can even do. Look for the heroes in your neighborhood. Life would be sweet if everybody would.” Jason Mraz

Sometimes, it is only in the moments of despair that we acknowledge our need for what he is talking about. Right? (Also, just as a side note, reminding ourselves that we are looking at the Image of God in everyone around us helps us be kind and caring and yes, careful. This helps us as we move forward!)

Will Reagan & United Pursuit have a song called, “Nothing Without You” that says this. “Your heart is my refuge, Oh Lord. Oh God, pull back the layers of my heart. I want communion, I want fellowship, I want to be with you where you are. When I am tired and weak, Lord, will you carry me? When I am broken in two pull me through.”

This reminds me of the good that happened this week and this morning when I found myself in communion and fellowship with our children and grands, with my sisters and niece, with our chaplain friends, Ken’s family, my friend Bex, and with my church family. For “where two or three are gathered together - there Christ is in the midst.” Yes! My LOVE tank was filled to overflowing, and hopefully I was able to help fill theirs as well. These are the people that "set my soul free" this week.

Well, I better get going…duty calls!

It’s time to “look for the good,” and help create a better world.