Doing the best we can

Sometimes we seek change; other times change is thrust upon us. And then there was 2020.

Since we first learned of the pandemic and began responding to the reality of COVID-19, many of our regular behaviors and patterns have changed. Now we accomplish so much—from worship to schooling to medical visits—virtually. Many of those working in offices abruptly shifted to working from home, and many will never return to what we knew as traditional offices. Bible study leaders, quilters, preachers, parents–we’ve all faced change, not of our own making. We’ve had to figure out creative ways to accomplish what needs to be done.

We’ve managed this uninvited change in fits and starts. There are days when we’ve risen to the challenge and responded well. On just as many occasions, we’ve fallen flat. We’ve come to realize our shortcomings in parenting, in working from home, in loving our neighbor. We just need to show up and do the best we can, and we need to admit when we are exhausted and get some rest. We must bring all the creativity and grace we can muster. And then we can step up with our beautiful, messy attempts to love each other.

This message is an excerpt from a Women of the ELCA blog by Linda Post Bushkofsky. Today we remember Monica, mother of Augustine, who died in 387.

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