Yesterday was tough. I saw my Nurse Practitioner for my annual check-up, and she asked how I was doing. I stopped myself from immediately glossing over the question with a hurried, "fine." Instead, I took a deep breath and truly asked myself, "How are you? No, really?" The last two weeks have been challenging, with one child sick and the other celebrating our family's first birthday since the divorce. I feel like the guy above, trying desperately to keep all of the balls in the air, but suffering mightily from the strain. As I prayed and journaled, I remembered something I said in my sermon on Sunday. (I preach to myself, too, you know!) 

We are becoming what we believe. That is as true for me as it is for you. When I feel overwhelmed and not up to the tasks before me, I experience anxiety, stress and pain. I worry about my children, my friends, all of you connected to Christ Church, and even myself. Is there enough time, energy, space and love to go around? But if I can interrupt that downward spiral by taking a few slow breaths, then I become able to focus on the source of my strength and capabilities. My heart rate slows, my blood pressure stabilizes, and my fears begin to recede. I am not doing this life alone. I need only look around at the prayers lifting me, the hands holding me, and the love surrounding me, to remember that God is present. Sometimes juggling the responsibilities in my life can look like this:

I can experience joy, even in stressful or difficult times. Like Jesus' student, the apostle Simon Peter, I am imperfect. I make LOTS of mistakes. I am eager to raise my hand, but sometimes miss the point entirely. I hurt people, I say the wrong thing, and I fall short of my own high expectations. There are a few glorious times, when I get something right, like Peter did last Sunday. But there are many more times when I continue to get things wrong. This Sunday we will watch Peter ping-pong from glory to back in the doghouse. If you are sailing along on Cloud Nine or feeling utterly miserable and down in the dumps, you will fit right in. Together, I hope we can find something better to believe in and to become.

Love, Pastor Emily  

P.S. I am thrilled to introduce you to our new members, who will be joining at the end of worship. This will be a day you won't want to miss!