A Devotional for the Longest Month
I’m sure January is not actually the longest month- it just feels like it. Or it does for me at least.
It’s also an interesting time in the lectionary because we’re starting out in Christmas, then Epiphany, then all the everything that comes after Epiphany.
Let’s break it down- Jesus is born. The Wise Men (or maybe Women?) find him. And Jesus and the Holy Family have to flee Herod. Phew!!! Now of course I know that these things did not actually happen in a matter of days but in facts years but…. it does seem to run parallel to how January goes, am I right?
I’m not always good at talking out loud to God- which is so funny to me because it’s like what the Rev. Elizabeth Riley says in “Rage Prayers” – and I’m paraphrasing here but she says it’s ok to pray an angry prayer because God can handle it. And…. God already knows what’s in our hearts anyway so why not? Keeping it all in just makes us tired, exhausted, and bitter.
I feel this way as I look at what all is happening around us. I feel this way even as I see people who I agree with tearing apart others who don’t agree with them. And while I am not one for putting up with racism or classism or anything like that- I also think it’s counterproductive to say to someone “good riddance”. Especially as I’ve witnessed recently in some discussions around church.
So for January, I’m trying to sit in peace. I’m trying to sit still. I’m trying to listen. But I’m also letting go of anger. I’m trying to love more. Because every time I’ve spoken with someone who disagrees with me in kindness- one of two things happens: they either take back another perspective with them, or they continue on in their anger. I’m sure I will get this wrong on occasion. I’m ok with it. I’m sure someone out there will be mad about something I say or do- I mean y’all I even got hateful comments on a video I posted of my three year old being silly before our church Christmas pageant and he’s only three.
Here’s a quick prayer for this month:
Dear God-
Please give me grace and patience. Please help me to breathe when someone says something mean- whether directly to me or I just happen to encounter it. Please help me to see that I can’t change all things, and often I can only influence those who directly know me. Help me to know that I am truly loved as I am, by those who know me the best. And help me to focus on the things that matter the most.
