-by Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of LEAD

Want to laugh? Consider the ostrich. Come on! What was God thinking? A bird that can’t fly, that lays its eggs on the ground and walks away, forgetting that the egg might be crushed or trampled by another. Yet somehow, we seem to always have an ostrich in the universe. (Job 39: 13-18)

The world around us is telling us something. A global pandemic calls us to slow down. As a learning community, we are slow to catch the cues. Before we get totally disenchanted with our church, remember, it is our watch, and we can lead through this time, like our ancestors did on their watch.

Surely they joined God in laughing at the ostrich.

What some stress relief? Sure, it is the dead of winter, but go outside. Even if you do this only for 10 minutes each day. Be reminded that the God who created the universe is holding you right now. Even if it is a cold, gray, dreary time of the year, we can find pleasure and relief in realizing God is God. (Job 38:28-30)

Seasons change. We count on that. This season we are in feels L O N G but it won’t last forever. We can wait in expectation for the changes that will come in the Spring, even metaphorically so!

Want perspective? Move your body. Really, be grateful for any part of a healthy-self you can claim. Skip thinking about what you can’t do and focus on what you can do. Stretch your limits. Walk farther, dance faster, jump once in a while. Gratitude is research proven to change our mindset. Imagine what will happen when we are grateful AND we are active! (Job 40:1-5)

Laugh. Get outside. Move your body. Three things to heal your soul this winter. On grumpy days we are Job. On other days? Maybe we are a more humble Job. Or a happy Job!