“When you are compassionate with yourself, you trust in your soul, which you let guide your life. Your soul knows the geography of your destiny better than you do.” John O’Donohue
Today is the Saturday of Easter week, it is the day in the Christian tradition that Jesus lay in his tomb after he died. It is a day of in-between time. As the world around us enters further into the COVID-19 Pandemic season there is a need to be mindful of the trauma it is creating. Those on the front lines the first responders, medical professionals, researchers, clergy, essential workers, all are at their point of exhaustion. Their minds, bodies, hearts and souls all carry the negative effects of this pandemic. Stress, worry, sheltering in place, staying home, social/physical distancing, extended hours of screen time, pressures to be productive and the lack of social connections all take their toll on the very being of a person. Our prayer for everyone is to give themselves permission to be compassionate with themselves and practice SELF CARE. Self care is not selfish, it is necessary to keep your body and soul healthy and whole. It is critical to take time out to nurture yourself, for you, your family, your loved ones and extended community. It is our hope and prayer that this Holy Weekend that time is set aside to focus on the inner being. We offer this scripture and PRAYER FOR SELF CARE…
Mark 6:31
He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Let us pray:
Loving and caring God, we lift up this prayer to you for all who are at the point of exhaustion. You Lord, who knitted us in our mother’s womb who gives rest to the weary we ask now to bless us with the ability to come away with you and rest. Lord in gratitude, thank you for all of their gifts and abilities that are keeping us safe. We pray they find peace of mind and soul. Lord we know that death comes and that too is a heavy burden to carry, we ask that they lay that burden on you, oh Holy one. We ask that you, great Physician, be a natural part of selfcare. Guide us to meditate on and spend time with You. As you counseled Moses in Exodus 18 that “he would wear himself out because the task was too heavy to care for the people of Israel on his own”. Lord, we can not do this work alone. As some struggle in isolation allow them to feel your presence.
Lord Jesus, help us all to be gentle with ourselves. To monitor the trauma that we take on during this time. Help them, help us to be and stay healthy in mind, body and soul. Lord Jesus, you rose victorious over death, you came that we might have abundant life, we thank you for abundant life, we thank you for abundance rest, we thank you for compassionate selfcare, we thank you for in you we experience resurrection. Thanks be to God. Amen”
Rev. Babette Chatman
A blessing from John O’Donohue “TO COME HOME TO YOURSELF”
May all that is unforgiven in you
Be released.
May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquilities.
May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Grace with love.