This week and last week I experienced a bit of a lull in my work load. Halfway between Family Camp and the Youth Mission Trip I have fewer things on my plate for a blessed moment… which means that I get to devote more of my time to one thing that is not calendar-driven: spiritual care. I am lucky to have this as part of my job – the pastoral work of visiting with you and supporting your spiritual journeys. Whether visiting someone in the hospital, or just chatting over a cup of tea, or reaching out by phone to someone who I know is having a hard time, providing spiritual care is one of the biggest joys of my work here at MPC.
What is spiritual care, anyway? It isn’t therapy (although we may feel some feelings). It isn’t social work (although we may solve a problem or two). It isn’t leadership training or crisis intervention or life coaching or church stewardship or Bible study. To me, spiritual care is the work of accompanying souls, bearing witness to that which lies under the surface, and holding it up to the light of God’s love. While we are bustling about busy with our lives, our souls may be secretly grieving… or struggling with conflict… or searching for meaning and direction… or even feeling lost. Or they may be bursting with joy, excitement, and love — and still not have the chance to express these. Take “soul” in the religious or psychological sense, but no matter how you take it, there is this deeper part of our selves that doesn’t get to come out and play very often because it’s too different from the rest of our lives. Maybe we don’t know what to do with it… maybe we’d rather not “go there.” If ever you find yourself feeling that deep inner disconnect, it’s time to look for some spiritual care. Come talk to me or Ben, or find another way through journaling or prayer. There are so many different ways of caring for our souls. My prayer for each of us today is that our souls may not feel alone.
Every Blessing,
Talitha