The Ministry of Thanks

"Thank You"
Some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by jen collins)
Source: Flickr

            In one of the hospital visits I made this week, a nurse was performing her ministry while the patient, my parishioner, slept. As she stepped back, I said "Thank you - for all you do." She looked at me, a bit confused. Then she regained herself, and admitted "Wow - I don't hear that often. Thanks!"

            I continued that I, as a regular hospital visitor, saw how much work and care and attention that nurses and others on the medical team regularly gave, how they deserved thanks for it.

            We had a long conversation about the ministry of thanks. This nurse, it turns out, is a person of faith, working in a medical centre where spiritual care is a part of the holistic approach to health. She said she was going to take the story - of being thanked by a visiting priest - to her staff meeting; that's how pleasing and unusual it was.

            After my visit, I remember thinking how sad it was that a "thank you" was a rarity for her, and for her colleagues.

            As I was reflecting on that, I watched our snow removal folks pull into the church parking lot. We don't often see them - but they treat us very well, and we're pleased with their work. If it snows, they clear. As they were refilling the sand/salt bin, I popped my head out the door. On seeing me, they asked if everything was alright. "Definitely!" I replied, "I wanted to say thanks - you've been doing a great job!"

            Again, there was surprise. They were grateful, and smiled and thanked me, and I went quickly back inside (where it wasn't -20*).  And as they left the parking lot they beeped the horn, smiled and waved.

            It was so simple, and yet it clearly made a difference - it brightened someone's day. For me, I saw it as an invitation to live out Paul's commentary about building one another up in the faith. It wasn't meant as anything but as an expression of MY faith.

            I know the value of supporting one another in the church, and in the faith community. But that support doesn't need to end where our parish lines are drawn, or where our membership lists conclude. In both experiences, I was a visible member of the Christian community, offering gratitude for someone else's efforts to make the world a better place. These folks are living out their ministry, and we're all the better for it.

            Imagine what might happen if we all took the opportunity to appreciate the people around us, celebrating their ministries to the community. Imagine how much happier the world might be if we all engaged in an intentional ministry of thanks. Imagine how much more Christian we could ourselves become, searching for ways to hold one another up before God - not to convert others, but to transform our hearts into fields of gratefulness.

            Imagine what's possible - with a simple, heart-felt expression of thanks. And now go find a way to make that possibility a reality!

New Year's Resolutions

"Happy New Year" ... CC BY 2.0 Retna Karunia ... Source: Flickr

            I've heard many conversations this week about New Year's resolutions. I think they offer good potential for self-improvement, so long as we are careful with them.

            Before making my own, I consider challenging questions: why do I want to do this? How will I make it a reality? What resources do I need for that to happen?

            I find these help me to ensure I'm keeping the focus where it will reflect my interests, lifestyle, and values; and that I have a strong chance of success. I make attainable resolutions for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health.  These require intentionality, introspection, and commitment; are based on a solid knowledge of myself. I'm aiming for smaller goals (for a better chance of success) rather than setting myself up for failure.

            For example: knowing that I'm a short-distance and intermittent runner, rather than resolve to run a marathon (which I have no interest in doing), I'm establishing a more regular and regulated running programme. I have a wall calendar to mark my runs, the equipment I need, and I will investigate some fun-run events. This is, for me, do-able; and even if/when I slip for a bit I can get right back on track. I also resolve to be gentle with myself!

            This process of basing feasible future goals on honest self-reflection is not neither new, nor limited to the secular, nor restricted to one arbitrary day of the year. The Ignatian Examen, for example, applies a spiritual lens to life; inviting people to consider "Where do I see God active in my past? How do I witness God's influence today? Who is God calling me to be tomorrow?" This journey, ideally with the resource of spiritual direction, assists one to live into the fullness of who God has made us to be.

            I am hopeful that folks will be considering resolutions to include a spiritual component, and include practical plans to support the journey. Want to read more scripture? Plan daily goals or join a bible study; start with 5 minutes a day. Want to pray more? There are several apps of daily office available, even for commuters. Want to do more outreach? Speak to your local church about the social justice ministries they engage in and try a few. Want to worship with others? Try a Sunday morning with a faith community, we'll welcome you wherever you are on your faith journey.

            I hope that as we all start January 1 with high expectations, that we are kind to ourselves as we experience the bumps or hiccups along the way. As with any resolution, it takes time and practice and ongoing reflection to find out what works for us - whether it's running or a spiritual journey.  The important part is that we return, and recommit, and live that resolve.

            Whatever your resolutions, I wish you every success. I hope 2018 will be for you a year that includes a will to be closer to God, a practical way to live that relationship, and a supportive community for the journey.

Taking The Show On The Road

Photo by Ceinturion. In the Public Domain

Twice last week, the parish choir was invited to 'take the show on the road!'

            The first was by participating in a local 'lantern walk' where different groups sing a few carols as folks gradually journey throughout the community.

            The second time was singing carols at a local grocery store, at the invitation of the manager; for an hour, as people entered the shop, they were serenaded with Christmas songs and carols as a staff person handed out candy canes.

            Now, our choir is small, with big hearts and a love of church and music, but the record deals have not been forthcoming (yet!).

            The important thing, however, was the delightful fun of participating in the broader community.

            The lantern walk is now an annual tradition, and brings together a large number of people from the area, with the intentional of being community.

            The grocery store had never before had a choir sing, but based on the smiles, "Merry Christmas!"es, and additional singing, they have already asked us to return next year.

            The choir is just a small group of volunteers from the church. But they are also, as demonstrated this week, folks who are actively interested in taking the joy of our Christian community outside of our own four walls.

            What a great ministry they offer on Sundays and Holy Days; what a great ministry they offer to the broader community. I'm imagining what further ministries might be done beyond our four walls - the sky's the limit!

My Favourite Christmas Gift

Every year, a Christmas delight appears in my mailbox. It's my favourite present: it's always the same thing, the perfect size and colour and style.

It's a letter.

My friend sends a letter, addressed in her gorgeous hand-writing, and as soon as I see it, I smile.

The letter is always a variation on a theme, but the message is the same: she has made a cash donation to the local food distribution & training centre.

This year's letter starts with "You and I are blessed because we have everything we need. That's why I'm giving someone else your gift."

It's perfect. Sure, we could send each other some little trinket, or find some other way to acknowledge the holiday. Instead, by directing funds to the agencies that assist the most vulnerable in our society, the buying power of those dollars increases, and a hungry person will have a meal, or a lonely person won't be alone, or a cold person will find warmth.

For whatever the cause of the need, the need is there; and Christmas is a great time for alleviating discomfort and need.

So if you're realising, a week before Christmas, that you've forgotten to buy some gifts this year, I humbly suggest you consider some stress-free gifting. And in the words of my friend:
"Have a very merry Christmas, knowing that you have helped to make it better for someone else."

The Rhythms of Dogs and Running and Advent

In a casual conversation this week, two unrelated questions were asked of me: how my dogs were (great), and if I was still running (yes!).

Then the unrelated were related: Do you run with your dogs?

EGADS, I answered: NO!

Why not?

"Rhythm," I said. "It's all got to do with rhythm."

When I run, I like a steady rhythm. It's why I prefer treadmill to trail: I control the speed and incline to be consistent. There are no surprises; I can watch the game or play my music or whatever.

Walking the dogs, however, has a very different rhythm. It's an ADVENTURE! Everything is a surprise: there are bushes to smell and leaves to jump in and squirrels to chase and neighbours to greet and grass to roll in, and ... Summary: my dogs do not keep a steady pace; not with each other, not with me, not from one metre to the next - and we all like it.

Rhythm. It's all about rhythm.

Advent is another example of a different rhythm. It's a season where were invited to pay attention to the rhythm in our spiritual lives. It's different, seemingly out of sync with the world around us (who consider this 'the Christmas season'), but that's okay: we don't have to be limited by society's definition.

Instead, we pace ourselves: we find the space to let the Advent rhythm take root deep within us. We create the time to sit in the moment of preparation. We envelope ourselves with the true meaning of Advent: because we can.

Our Advent journey does not mean that we have to separate ourselves from the busyness of typical Christmas preparation. What it does do is invite us to carefully and prayerfully seek out the rhythm of the Spirit in our lives, and find ways for each to be present and meaningful in our day-to-day practices.

Our lives are full of rhythms, and we are enriched by how we respond to them.

The rhythm of running? Consistent, and delightful.

The rhythm of the dog walking? Adventurous, and delightful.

The rhythm of Advent? Spirit-led, and therefore delight-filled. 


May we all be delighted in the rhythm of Advent.