3/16 – A Word From Steven – “How is your heart?”

Rev. Dr. Steven Koski

How is your heart? I’m sad today. My heart hurts.
Psalm 139 says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths of hell, you are there.”
I’m sad and my heart hurts. I cling to the words of the Psalmist reminding me that the fundamental nature of the Divine is not contingent on my mood or emotional state. The current state of our reality doesn’t change ultimate reality. Ultimate reality is a Divine Love from which we can never be separated.
I’m sad today. I’m going to let that be ok. I’m not going to pretend or give myself the extra burden of thinking I shouldn’t be sad or something must be wrong with me. I’m just sad. I’m going to lean into my sadness with tenderness. Strength isn’t the willpower to overcome our struggles. Strength arrives as we extend tenderness and grace to ourselves in the midst of our struggles.

Glennon Doyle wrote, “What if pain – like love – is just a place brave people visit.”
I am sad today. My heart hurts. I’m going to remember the promise Love is sitting next to me. Love’s shoulder gently rubbing against my shoulder. That’s enough for now. A little later I think I’ll ask someone else, “How is your heart?” and listen as tenderly as I can.