Sunday Stretch: Vol. 17

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

Do you have the mid-January blues?

I keep hearing from pastoral colleagues and friends, unfortunately, about deaths of loved ones and parishioners over these past few post-Christmas and New Year’s weeks. And others just talk about that feeling of malaise that tends to hit in mid-January. Winter has dug in. Storms are hitting across the country, and here in Minnesota we are buried under the snow. It’s really beautiful when we get those bluebird blue sky mornings, with the sunlight glittering on the white snow — but more often the sky and the ground and our dirty floors at home seem to merge into an everlasting murky gray.

We took down the tree at home and at church this weekend, and I’ve been trying to rebound with some “winter decor” in pastels and whites. I bought some oranges and even a pineapple at the store on Sunday, to get a little citrus/tropical boost. We’ll make it together.

If you’re feeling a little down lately, seek support, give yourself time to rest, be gracious with yourself — and also do know that some winter blues this time of year can be normal. So don’t be frustrated with yourself or others — but give yourself Grace.

A photo shared with me by one of my parishioners outside our newly plowed church parking lot last Sunday

Bible Stories

Here are some weekly readings (from the Revised Common Lectionary), and some reflection thoughts/questions: