Letter from Lindy Oct 31

Hello Pilgrims,

It is good to be getting back into the Pilgrim groove after my two week try-out as grandma. Newborn grand/parenting, as we know, is not for those who crave uninterrupted sleep ;) Even sleep deprived, I was truly grateful to be in Orlando to lend a shoulder to burp or cry on. Remember the number of diapers a newborn goes through on a daily basis!? Who knew something so tiny could eliminate so often and readily :)

It was hard to leave, knowing I am destined to be the far-away grandma who won’t be part of Lennox’s daily/weekly rhythms. Working hard to keep my jealousy monster locked in its closet. As we wrestled together the whole drive home, I realized that to keep that green, complicated emotion at bay, I would need to do two things. 1) continuously breathe Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. 2) invite Thompson, Jake and me to plan with intentionality how and when we will come together, so Lennox’s family view encompasses all who love her.

Intentionality is hard to live into as we move through the daily-ness of life. We get swept up in our busy-ness. But commitment to intentionality was reinforced as I reread the “Pilgrim Treasures” for our All Saints Service this Sunday. Through and through, these six beloved Pilgrims gave of themselves in multiple spheres--family, work, church, community, causes--impacting each and every one that was graced with their power and presence. Holding their histories before me left me in awe of, not only their accomplishments, but the dedication and joy with which they gave of themselves. Not surprisingly, their witness challenged me to examine my own commitments--where and when I say yes, and more importantly, when and why I say no. I realized that over the course of these past two years, my “no” comes more readily--too busy, not enough bandwidth, uncertainty, hesitation, fear, grief--my litany could finish this page. I am finding I need to flex intentionality’s muscle anew and grow it into a discipline.

As we find our way to live in this new normal where patterns have shifted, perhaps we need to practice as beloved community as well. Moving toward the close of another Christian year (fast approaching), Advent comes--offering us an opportunity to begin anew. To re-engage in this journey of life with intentionality--to be awake, alert, aware of all of the ways God is beckoning us into covenantal relationship with Them, with each other, with Beloved Community, with the wider world. As these God-gifted moments present themselves, God awaits our response to do our part in ushering in kindom. When we commit with our “yes”, maybe, just maybe, we too are being refined to become Pilgrim treasures ourselves.

grace and love,
Pastor Lindy (she/her) why pronouns matter

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