Dearly Beloved,
This morning's mist here in Loveland feels like a blanket, cozying us in, inviting us to rest, to light a fire, put on a kettle for tea, cozy up with a book or pen and paper to journal, or a favorite television show. Many of us are instead navigating a work day, doctor's appointments, school, and other commitments.
My letter to myself from Love is coming in fits and starts, and I've been curious about why. Did you sit down and write one? The message that's been coming through so far is simply: you are enough. You are enough. You are enough. Apparently, it's a message I still need to hear.
I wanted to share a brief update on Heather Tribbett: surgery went well yesterday. As she heals, she will likely stay in the neuro intensive care unit tonight as well.
I've been touched this week by a letter I received from a friend, mentor and colleague, the Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri. He is currently the co-director of Bethany Fellows, but many years ago, he was the Associate Minister at Heart of the Rockies Christian Church in Fort Collins. He and his family also lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years. He shared the following this week:
“On a day when the world is weighty,
dark and dense with need,
I want to be the earthworm
that gives itself over to tunneling,
its every movement an act
of bringing spaciousness.”
He writes: "I'm not sure how a poem about earthworms has whispered beauty and hope to me over the past couple of months. While I do love earthworms and have been known to walk the streets in my neighborhood post-rainstorm trying to rescue earthworms from a middle-of-the-road wiggling demise; I may be attracted to these words from the poem Lumbricus Terrestris by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer because they remind me of... this dispersed community we call Bethany and the ways that we practice together.
"I am deeply troubled in heart, mind and body, echoing the pastoral expressions and stories shared [with me] about what is happening in our country to the most vulnerable among us and to the communities we serve.
"We are bearing witness to the fracturing not only of our cities, states and country, but we are also noticing how the pressures and challenges are impacting trusted leaders, grounded collaborators, and circles of trust. Our own thoughts and actions may be more susceptible to reactivity and negativity than ever before.
"On a day when the world is weighty indeed.
And yet even in the midst of the darkness and density we are reminded to give ourselves over to bring spaciousness."
Scott's writing resonate so strongly with me, his words capturing so clearly the challenges of this moment.
I wonder what spaciousness might look like for you today and this week. How we may each follow the parts of us that reach deep into the ground of our being to touch the divine that dwells there. And how we may seek to lead with deep curiosity, compassion, and connection to ourselves, to the Holy one, to each other, and to this earth that we call home.
In love, gratitude and hope,
Thandiwe
