What a year this could be!
By Pastor Rosemary Landry
What a year this could be!
I was tired of writing “what a year this has been!” I think all of us are looking for a better year in 2021. More people are getting vaccinated and the numbers of new infections are going down in many areas. The daily news reports always seem to have something about new medications, findings, and research. As always, we keep this in our prayers. We also keep all those who have lost loved ones to the virus.
Most people I know have been touched by COVID in some way. It’s been a year now and we are living in unprecedented times of grief and stress. Relationships are both saving us and hurting us with either being together too much or not being able to be with one another. One article I read said that half the population is reporting problems with their mental well-being.
Love begins with loving ourselves. This happens in so many ways; in different ways for each of us. So, I would like to share a couple of pointers from an article I read.
Don’t listen to your inner voice that says you aren’t lovable. I had to really cultivate that one when COVID hit and I was trying how to do ministry without meeting. It was tough to learn how to do some of the programs. I still struggle at times, but at least I’m more gentle with myself. If you need reminding, put a post-it on your computer, write it on your bathroom mirror, put it on the refrigerator: I AM LOVED.
Do be real with yourself and others about how you are doing. Our daily lives are not what we are used to; feeling isolated emotionally and physically from each other. As we work on loving ourselves, when we get back together, we will be better equipped to share our love with others. We are all longing to have the love of others in our lives once again, person-to-person.
Never give up on love. Be compassionate with yourself. Many people in our lives have been through broken relationships, emotional abuse, betrayal. They all impact our lives as we experience love. When we love ourselves, we can heal. We love ourselves with compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom about our pasts.
Big, blessed love. What on earth is this? It is believing that love will be a part of your life again. It is described as a “universal, divine, and sacred source of healing love that is deep within all of us.” To me, that’s God’s love and healing and grace working in my life. With God’s love, we can be assured that our mind, body, and spirit are filled with God’s never ending, never failing love that will never abandon us.
When everything seems to be falling apart, remember that God sees each person – YOU – as unique, individual, and worthy. YOU are enough. YOU are worthy. YOU are part of God’s grace. YOU are loved.
Shalom,
Pastor Rosemary