Through Stained Glass: Paying Attention to What You Need

I’ll be honest. 

I need a sign of hope. 

I need a lot of signs of hope. 

I need the sunshine, the green grass, and muddy paws. 

I need something to pay attention to other than the coronavirus and the conversations that come with it. The fact that I have options speaks to my privilege. The pandemic is disrupting everyone’s life, some more so than others. This post isn’t to perpetuate what the talking heads on TV are saying or to raise fear. Instead, it is a call to pay attention to what we need—as a community and as individuals.

I needed something colorful. I needed beauty. I needed something that reminded me that even in the chaos of this season, we are moving towards something beautiful. That’s when I saw them—on both sides of ole Honest Abe on the campus of Lincoln College.

The official name for those little yellow daffodils is Jonquil. A quick Google search will tell you they are native to Spain and Portugal but have been naturalized in places like France, Italy, and Illinois. It is this time of year when these little ones bear heads of up to five scented yellow or white flowers. Every year, these flowers beckon my attention to the new season unfolding before me. They are the opening act to creation’s spring musical, which is always about resurrection.

Though they are little, the power they have on my wellbeing is mighty. Just a few moments of taking pictures and looking closely at these little ones lifted my spirits. I needed it, too. It saddens me that a lot of these first act flowers won’t get their time in the sun—a chance for the community to experience them in all their beauty. Yet, and I know they are just plants, they do what they need to do—grow, bloom, and then let go of their magnificent petals.

Perhaps this season is about growing, blooming, and letting go. Maybe in this time of social-distancing is a for you to ask yourself what do you need? Do you need more growth? Do you need to be more yourself? Do you need to set down whatever expectations you’re carrying around?

What does your spirit need?

Do you need more positivity?

Do you need more motivation?

Do you need permission to be and sit in whatever it is you’re feeling?

Do you need more silence?

Do you need more food?

Do you need to get rid of some energy, anxiety?

Do you need more rest?

In my moment of need, when the information was overwhelming, I needed a flower. I needed to look at something that wasn't distracted or anxious--but was doing precisely what it is to do: be. 

Whatever you need, do it. Begin by focusing on what you need now, at this moment. All we have is right now. Name whatever it is you’re feeling. Sit with what your experiencing. Let go of whatever might be bringing you down. If you need help, ask for it.

One last thing. If you are worried, scared, anxious, doubtful, or ‘hanging in there,’ that is okay. We are all experiencing this differently. Some of us are experiencing a change in routine; other of us, things seem about the same. However, you’re experiencing this shelter-in-place order, it is okay.

We all won’t experience this the same way. No matter how you're feeling, you're not alone. We never are totally alone. Not only do we have one another, but we have God who is faithful in God's promise to be with us always. 

And that word of promise is all I need for today.