Small Steps So That We Don’t Boil Over

Friends of LaSalle Street Church -

This past week our staff had the privilege of having the Exec Dir of Artesian Collaborative, Dr. Sunitha Chandy, join us for a mental health training and check in. This space was created to share wisdom and findings about what is helping support caregivers during this season of national upheaval, as they care for others. It was a delight to learn from a gifted LaSaller and professional, and was a reminder to me of the power of taking small steps each day to stay healthy, care for mental health, and to dissipate the "heat of the boiling water in the pot" that we all are living in right now.

Dr Sunitha shared a metaphor that much of our anxiety and stress right now is warranted, and not under our control, For immigrants, for people of color, for vulnerable groups who may feel targeted or have health care or food benefits taken away, there is indeed cause for concern. It is like we are in a boiling pot of water and we’re not in control of the temperature, she shared. But our work is to stir the pot, to dissipate the heat, to help us get through day by day, and stay healthy for what is next. Steps like caring for ourselves, getting outside in the sun, eating healthy – that’s stirring the pot. Actions like processing our feelings, letting ourselves recognize human and understandable responses to difficult things – stirring the pot. And one of my favorite phrases that Dr. Sunitha shared, “protecting the power of our hope” – that helps stir the pot, dissipate that heat and prevent us from potentially boiling over.

Beloved, you’re invited to this practice too, and to share with us how you’re taking small steps in this season. Let us know your ideas for actions, advocacy, prayer, and responses you’ve found helpful. Share your favorite ways of resting, recharging, and caring for yourself. How do you protect the power of your hope? Process all that’s going on? If you missed our Sabbath Sunday gatherings these last few months, I would invite you to start there for reminders of the power of resting in God – you can watch Pastor Brent’s message from this past week, resting from pride toward humility; or turn to the September Sabbath message from me, “resting from idolatry toward resistance to empire.” Resting, self-care, advocacy, community, small daily steps – these all help us keep on keeping on. I am so grateful for this community and all the ways that we’re learning together, supporting one another, lamenting and protecting hope, caring and resting – thank you for helping one another’s pots not boil over.

With deep thanks - RevLiz