Troubles

I’m in a stew. Trying to work it out and restore calm. Meanwhile, I’ve withdrawn from some connections. Trying to separate from toxic situations. Not an easy task in a society of complex relationships.

Finding the core problem at the root of division is the challenge.

We are in a world of change. Of course, that occurs all the time. it never rests. Life is filled with change and adaptation. It is often uncomfortable and disruptive. But the new is refreshing and open to new possibilities. That is also life – possibilities continually available for exploration.

Some people handle change poorly. They don’t want to give up a treasured habit, heritage or routine. But what are those ‘unchangeable’ things? Are they things, art, modes of action, thinking? Or are they process mostly? Or are they unalterable truths?

We all know examples of this. Thanksgiving Day in America is family and very close friends, sharing time and table with one another. This year Thanksgiving was different. Family connected by phone or video. Households remained distant to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We didn’t like this alteration to our norm, but we accepted it and lived it this one time. Whether this becomes a new norm is unknown, but one we hope will not be.

Wearing masks in crowded places is another new action required of us. Not pleasant or desirable, but necessary to reduce the spread of disease. We may find this more common in the future during times of seasonal disease such as flu and the common cold. For now, however, it is new and foreign; we dislike it and want to avoid it.

Church life is another arena for upset. Gathering for fellowship of like-minded worshippers is currently forbidden, certainly not advisable. Same for weddings, funerals and other ritual acknowledgement of special meaning. Mixing of people in such crowds has been shown to spread disease. So, we abstain from it.

Meanwhile, churches are adapting to the new. Facebook and website streaming of worship services is common. Learning to provide appropriate musical accompaniment continues to be a struggle. Sound and recording systems (and equipment!) used by churches is not up to the task of ‘making a joyful noise.’ Distortion and lack of tonal blend create caterwauling musical interludes. Much is yet to be learned how to produce a better product. For now, we accept the situation we are dealt. Trouble is that the architecture of the experience undergoes more alteration and into the deep end of the pool we go.

Talking this through and understanding each other is a challenge. We are successful sometimes, and patient for better results a lot of the time. When patience runs out? Then toxicity enters. Best if the participants separate. In my case it requires a full withdrawal. Voices are encouraged to speak but are not heard; new ideas are buried and not acted on. Possibilities are muffled and suffocated in quiet. Months of this tells the story.

If I am to be me, I must seek new things and fellowship. In this I am not alone. How common is this right now? I do not know. Perhaps those of us in this awkward phase will find each other?

I know possibility is ever present and beckoning. That’s how change brings us futures of promise. And so the journey continues!

December 8, 2020