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Vicar's View It’s okay to pause.
Exhaustion—especially from deep sorrow and relentless demands—is a sign that our souls need rest. The weight of grief has been heavy at Holy Innocents this week after the tragic loss of one of our 8th Grade students. You would have been so proud of our staff as they collaborated with the chaplains to hold a service of prayer yesterday at 2 p.m. Over 600 students, faculty, staff, and parents gathered—the church at its best, embodying the arms of the Good Shepherd in a terrible time.
Young people often move forward quickly, but our teachers, along with Amaya’s family, need your prayers. Many of us have said that life feels overwhelming right now. When grief, work, and the world’s chaos weigh us down, here are some ways we can make it through together:
1. Permission to Rest
Jesus himself withdrew to quiet places to pray and rest (Mark 6:31). If the Son of God needed time apart, so do we. Step away from the noise, even if only for a few minutes a day.
2. Anchor Yourself in the NOW
The weight of grief and the world's chaos can pull us into the past or make us dread the future. Practicing mindfulness—through prayer, breathing, and exercise ground us in the present.
3. Let Others Hold You
In seasons of exhaustion, we may not have the strength to hold faith or hope ourselves. This is where community comes in. Lean on friends, spiritual mentors, or even the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. Let others pray for you when words fail.
4. Grieve Honestly
Jesus wept (John 11:35). Grief, exhaustion, and frustration are not signs of weak faith—they are human. Bring it all to God. God CAN handle it. The Psalms are full of laments that remind us we don’t have to have it all together to be in God’s presence.
5. Limit the Noise
The 24/7 news cycle feeds on urgency, but few things demand our immediate attention. It’s okay to step back. I’ve turned just about all of my notifications off. I set my phone to kick me off of social media after 15 minutes. It has been helpful….
6. Return to What Fills You
What small things bring you joy? Music, poetry, nature, laughter, art? Give yourself permission to seek out beauty and light. Even in dark seasons, a flicker of joy can be an act of resistance.
7. Find the Next Small Step
When exhaustion makes everything feel impossible, ask: What is one thing I can do today? Maybe it’s drinking a glass of water, calling a friend, or simply breathing deeply. Let that be enough. Go shop for the food pantry. Donate some money. Weed the garden. Get ready for spring. Go to the garden center!
8. Remember the Long Story
The world’s brokenness feels endless, but resurrection reminds us that suffering is never the final word. When you feel you have nothing left, trust that God holds you in love. The work of healing—yours and the world’s—is not yours alone to carry.
You are not alone in this. You are held in love, even in exhaustion. If you need space to grieve, come to the church. Call Ruth or Bill or me. The Community of Hope is ready to support you as well.
I’m grateful for community this week especially. I don’t know what people do without each other. I'm also grateful for your prayers for my pilgrimage to Greece. I can't wait to share more with you in some of our upcoming studies on the book of Acts. I was also sad to miss you on Sunday because I came back with the flu but look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Faithfully yours,
Stewart+
Pastoral Note
We extend our deepest sympathy to Anne Marie Esslinger upon the death of her mother Fran Wells. Her obituary and service information is here.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Anne Marie and her family in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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