A New Normal, A New Blog

As you may have guessed, my life looks very different than it did last week. Last week I had a schedule, went into the office, had regular Wednesday night EYC, and was planning a weekend retreat for Palm Sunday. My office was at 102 N 2nd St. and only had work-related clutter. My cat was just my cat (and best friend, of course) and my routine was set. 

As my daily life took a sudden turn, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions- many of them conflicting. On one hand, I was worried and scared. To know friends, family, and world-wide neighbors could be in danger of becoming ill or grocery-less in the panic made me feel scared and worst of all, helpless. On the other hand, this new reality came with new ideas and thoughts on what it means to be in community and how we can stay connected while being away from each other. 

Fortunately, I was reminded very quickly that we don't just go to church, we ARE the Church. On March 16th, as we settled into our new realities, Rev. Miranda Cully Griffin used Instagram to share her usual blessing at the end of Eucharist, "Christ has no body but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks upon the world with compassion and yours are the feet with which he sends the good news to those who eagerly wait to hear it. You are the Body of Christ." 

This Teresa of Avila blessing has been a blessing (no pun intended) to me this past week. As we miss and mourn the daily lives we had just last week, we can ease into our new normal knowing that we are still the Body of Christ- even over Zoom or posting to a Blog. 

Today, my desk doubles as my kitchen table/art space. The work-related clutter is now accompanied by watercolor supplies, markers, and various portraits of my cat-turned-co-worker, Norah. My morning routine takes a little more discipline now that it takes me about 12 steps to get to "work" from my bed instead of my usual drive. Instead of planning games and EYC activities, I'm scheduling Zoom online gatherings and creating a blog?

Yes, a blog! My hope for this blog is for us to be able to share what we are experiencing through words or pictures. As we share and read, please keep in mind that everyone is on their own spiritual journey and is navigating this time differently. 

Peace,

Gabbie