Dealing with Hard Times

Dear Fellow Followers of the Way,

The news has not been good. The economic situation in the country has continued to slide, businesses are continuing to need to be bailed out, and our church budget issues are all pressing issues. These are issues with no easy answers. As the news continues to be bad, more tragedies begin to surface.

Last week a father, after losing his job, killed his wife and five children before killing himself. In his faxed note, he says that he and his wife saw no reason to live. In the news reports as they spoke with neighbors, the neighbors were shocked. They knew Ervin Lupoe as a loving father and one neighbor spoke of being invited over for dinner and Lupoe recommending a builder for them. The neighbors never knew that anything was wrong.

Have we become so good at presenting a façade that all is well, that no one knows what is really going on in our lives? Have we separated ourselves from others so that we live on our own little islands? We ask how people are doing hoping that they respond with the socially appropriate answer “fine.” We are exchanging pleasantries, not really asking a question. Would this family of seven still be alive if people had stopped to really check in? Would that be enough to help them maintain hope?

So what are we the church called to do in times like this? I believe we need to remind people that we have a God who is faithful and is in the midst of our agony. When hearts break, God’s is the first one broken. This is a time to be joined in prayer and a time to be reconnected to the family of God by being in church. Check in with the people you know, really talk to them and find out how things are going. And remember, that God is faithful and will make a way where there is no way.

Grace, Mercy, and Peace,
Karen


A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.