“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die’” -Genesis 3:4
Accepting that we are finite human beings in need of God’s grace each day is spiritual discipline that goes against cultural norms. Simplifying our schedules, our possessions, or creating new boundaries in our daily routines can be one way of practicing this inward understanding.
Consider doing one of the following this coming week:
Remove a shopping trip from your schedule by using what you have instead of buying something new
Take some unneeded clothing to the thrift store
Spend time helping someone in your family with a project they want to do without telling them how they should do it
Go to bed earlier than planned in order to get a complete night’s sleep
“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die’” -Genesis 3:4
It is understandable that Advent and Christmas are the preferred church holidays. Ash Wednesday comes in the long weeks of winter with its invitation to remember our mortality. While our culture encourages us to live in denial of death, for centuries, Christians have made this remembrance a constant part of their spiritual practice, remembering that each moment is a gift to be appreciated.
“Denial of death was humanity’s first seduction. ‘You will surely not die,’ the serpent flattered Eve…” writes Jen Pollock Michel in her book In Good Time. And we continue to wrestle with the allure of possibility. It is uncomfortable to face the reality of our limits, whether that is ability, hours in a day, or the finitude of human life.
Our desire to be like God is not sinful. The call to discipleship is to continue to form ourselves more and more into Christ’s likeness. It is our rebellion against the limits that causes harm to ourselves and others.
As you encounter limits throughout this week, take time to consider:
What gift is implicit in the limitation you are facing?
Where might there be goodness, freedom or rest because of a boundary?
In what ways is this restriction a blessing?
Refine my longings, O God. Renew my perspective. May I trust in the hidden gifts of limits. Amen.
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them. Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” -Colossians 3:14
In the Western Hemisphere, the liturgical season of Lent leading to Easter is celebrated as the last vestiges of winter melt away and signs of spring emerge.
The word Lent comes from an Old English word that meant spring. While this time in the life of the church may be known for its austerity, the reminder in the change of seasons and the words from scripture is one of hope: the promise of new life.
Today as you change clothing, as you take off and put on, reflect on the hope and promise of the words from Colossians. How did you wear compassion, kindness and humility today? What anger, wrath or slander do you need to take off from the interactions of today? What would it mean to clothe yourself in love this week?
God, may my life be cloaked in signs of the good life you offer–compassion, kindness, patience and love– for myself and others. Amen.
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them. Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:8-10
“It’s just not fair!” I complained to my husband. In the aftermath of having COVID for the week of Christmas and being unable to participate in my family’s Christmas merriment, nothing felt right. My week of holiday fun had been replaced with laying in bed fighting chills, a stuffy nose, and the isolation that COVID often brings. When the symptoms lifted my gratefulness was short-lived as I realized all the things I had missed out on.
In the letter to believers in Colossians, Paul reminds us that we should strip off the old way of doing life. Instead of anger and malice, we are called to clothe ourselves in love. Leaving behind complaining and fairness in the pursuit of servitude towards others, will be a task I struggle to accept until I leave this world! But what peace will we receive in return for releasing our anger?
When I think about Jesus, his example consistently turned our assumptions about justice on their head. I remember the parable of the workers’ in the vineyard where those who arrived last got the same pay as those who worked all day. Or the prodigal son who received a full blessing just like the faithful son who stayed and worked each day on his father’s estate.
This is one of the reminders of Lent. In light of our finite existence, what can we leave behind? What would it look like to forgive someone everything they did against us? In what way is God calling you to put on the new garments of love?
Healing One, I confess my anger and short sightedness. Forgive me. Clothe me in Your loving kindness. AMEN
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them. Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
Today, Christians around the world receive the mark of ashes as a sign of repentance and a reminder of our humanity.This is the ritual that starts the season of Lent, the 40-day journey to Holy Week and Easter.
The liturgical calendar, the rituals, celebrations and seasons of the life of the church, remind us that the way people of faith keep time is not the same as the world. For Christians, the focus of our lives isn’t to be on productivity, maximization, hustle and hurry. But believers commit to the slow work of transformation, going deeper, making space, slowing down.
The ancient words from the prophet Joel invite us to this practice:
“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.” (Joel 2:12-13)
And so today we begin an intentional time of confession, listening and reflection.
In what area of your life do you need to return to God?
What are you mourning?
Where do you need to receive God’s grace and mercy?
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them. Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
This morning is a drippy one in Virginia, as Christmas disappears into in the rear view mirror. However, my Christmas candles linger in the windows to fight back the chilly weather and dark of winter.
As the days lengthen and warm up there a signs of spring. My hens, who are getting a little older and have taken a break from laying this winter, graced us with two eggs yesterday morning. This welcome surprise in the laying boxes reminded me that spring is coming.
The transition between winter and spring is also the time in the church calendar when we observe Lent. Sherah-Leigh and I have a series of reflections and practices ready for the weeks leading up to Easter. You can expect one reflection (Mondays) and one practice (Thursdays) weekly through Easter. One exception is that we will begin with a reflection and invitation into Lent on Ash Wednesday, this week, on February 14th.
As always, we appreciate you sharing Some Comfort and Joy with others! Please feel free to forward our posts to your friends and family.
We are also so excited to announce that we have written a book that will be released by Herald Press this September!Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent is a devotional filled with poems, essays, reflections, recipes (thanks to many of you for your help with recipe testing!), practices and journal prompts. We are looking forward to telling you more about this book as we get closer to the release date.
As first time authors, our marketing team (?!) informs us that it is beneficial to have followers on our Amazon author accounts. So, if you are looking for a way to support us (that is totally free) you can do so here and here.
Thanks again to each of you that is part of our Some Comfort and Joy community! We look forward to walking through Lent and reflecting on life together.
-Gwen and Sherah-Leigh
While Some Comfort and Joy began as a devotional series that followed the liturgical year, with reflections and practices from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective, we have enjoyed expanding our offerings. Your likes, shares and comments shape and inspire our work! Thank you for your support.
May the Spirit,
who ordered the chaos,
spoke everything into being
and animated creation
Enliven you
May the Holy One
who provides manna
performs wonders
and makes a way (when it seems there is none)
Bless you
May Emmanuel
who took on flesh,
laughed, cried, prayed
and shared a table with friends
Companion you
today and always.
Amen.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21
The big idea is that true fun is a combination of play, flow and connection. These three working together create restoration in our lives.
As you go about your daily tasks this week, take some time to reflect on the concept of true fun.
How can we foster fun in our own lives? Is this an area of growth for you?
What about the community around you? Your family? Your work community? Other groups you are part of? Are there ways you can encourage and engage in fun with your different communities?
How does your level of busy-ness affect your ability to experience restorative fun?
Are there ways you can adjust (think about your attitude or expectations) what you already do to create opportunities for true fun?
What new ways might God be inviting you to experience restoration through play, flow and connection with others?
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them! Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
“Well, kids are resilient,” my confidant announced. “It will just make him stronger,” she pronounced after I shared about a hard experience my son had endured.
While practicing self-confidence, flexibility, patience, communication and teamwork may all be valuable none of us would wish these skills to be strengthened through adversity. In her book, The Power of Fun, Catherine Prince proposes that “true fun is restorative. It increases resilience and empathy.”
How wonderful to recognize that there are a myriad of ways to build our resource base for navigating life and thriving; simply muscling through trials is not the only way!
It is true that after some time of reading an engrossing book or talking with a friend over coffee (or via zoom), I tend to feel better. I’m more grounded and joyful. Experiences of fun, times of relaxation, a change of pace and perspective are all restorative. An evening walk around my farm, at hot shower, or ten-minutes of mindful stretching often help me get unstuck when ruminating on a problem or task.
After hearing the legend of the doorknob in Gerber family lore, our kids were delighted to play Scattergories to more fully understand the inside joke. Between their creative (and ridiculous) responses, which are alternative to a given category in this word game, and my daughter’s startle and screech each time the timer buzzed, we had plenty of belly laughs around the table that evening. And we all slept well that night.
When do you feel most restored? What practices and activities bring you great joy? How can you incorporate more of that into your daily life as a move towards sustainability and thriving?
O God, in the places where I am feeling stretched, weary and empty, may you bring renewal. Tune my heart to the ways that play and joy also heal and restore. Amen
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy. Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them! Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21
While I generally love the change of seasons and the opportunity for new rhythms and emphases, one of my dreads of the summer is all the togetherness. As a creative who works from home, flow is an important (and sometimes elusive) element of the work.
Open your calendar and find a space of time that you can set aside for play. This may be a half-day, full day or weekend depending on the demands of your life. Reflect on the boundaries and preparations that need to be made so that you can use this space to simply be in the flow of rest, creativity and joyful play. What resources do you need to gather for such a time? Who might you invite to join with you?
God, you surprise me! In the beauty of your creation, in the way you respond to our needs, in the ways your kingdom is made known. Surprise me in this time of playful flow. May your Spirit guide and inspire me. Amen.
Some Comfort and Joy was developed as a devotional resource that follows the rhythms and seasons of the liturgical year from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective.
We hope this brings you some comfort and joy. Do you know someone who would be inspired by today’s post? Please share Some Comfort and Joy with them! Be sure to subscribe and never miss a post.
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