For When the World is on Fire

 Last weekend I heard a sermon called "The World is on Fire." It felt appropriate as it seems each day in the last few weeks has brought some kind of stress or bad news. (It was a good sermon by the way, about God tending to show up in the same fire that seems ready to swallow us--and instead redeeming and calling us through it.) Anyway...I've been holding on to a few pieces of wisdom lately for the fiery-world days:

1. Look for the helpers. - Mr. Rogers

2. Stay stoked.  - Student worker

Look for the Helpers

I noticed in the extreme busyness of last week that I rarely had time to help, and yet God sent people to notice and offer to help in so many ways. One example was when I was needing to unload my car and take several trips to the cafeteria from the curb. I was already tired, and sent up another prayer for help. After one trip, a young couple walking by offered to help. It was so touching to me that they offered and both took a big load for me. It stood out even more to me because I noticed that they didn't necessarily look like life was going great for them. But somehow they seemed content enough. When I asked them if they were from around here, they said, "Kind of," and didn't elaborate. I didn't know how to offer help in that moment, but as I look back on it, I wish I could have said something, even if it was awkward. I didn't have cash, and I didn't feel like I had time, but I wish I could have offered them a ride or something since it was pretty cold outside. Lesson learned for next time, and if I run into them again somehow, I hope to tell them again how much it meant and see if there's a way I can return the favor.

Stay Stoked

This advice came from one of my student workers who served in a difficult location last year. This was how he made it through his year and the advice he gives to future SMs. It's a new way to say it, but I've been realizing in a very practical way lately that he's not wrong. Choosing to embrace the adventurous ways life plays out and see the opportunities for gratitude and joy even in the chaos is pretty key to resilience. It seemed like it worked pretty well as I tried it out last week...but this week the fog is setting in literally and emotionally and it's getting a little harder. Yet even here I notice my student workers are good at reminding me of why I am here and inspire me to choose to be a light for them--which brightens my own life. I don't have to have energy, and I certainly don't have to manufacture or fake it to "stay stoked." Sometimes it's legitimately hard. But I can pray for God to give me what I need for each interaction of the day, to keep my burdens lifted up to Him and not letting them land on others. I can trust that He will come through in the fire--for me and others.

There is Another in the fire... So we're going to be ok.