Audre Lorde's Radical Self Care | Song: Workin' on a World |

Friends,

The leaves are turning. The pumpkin plant in my front yard has taken over the space. I need a sweater most days. While my doctor is pretty sure I can ski in January, it is not clear whether I can drive next week. I'm sick of sitting.

And still, we continue on, one day at a time.

-Elizabeth

Rejoice? Really?

To be clear, I hate sweetness. I hate the idea that everything will come out all right. I hate the image of putting our heads in the sand and imagining that internal peace is the path to .... to anything. Sure I might feel better, but the world will not be better if I ignore the realities of our time.

And then we have the lectionary for Sunday. Philippians 4:1-9.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Let me tell you, I'm not listening to this, ... to this ..., I pull together my rage. I'm not listening to this ridiculous sweetness and light. What does Paul know about ....

Wait. What is actually going on when Paul writes his letter to the Philippians?

He is in jail. Paul was a disrupter of society, someone who refused to stop spreading good news just because it made the leadership uncomfortable. When under arrest he did not stop his constant proclamation of Gods mercy, and God's love.

And what is his advice to the churches he must write to, because he cannot visit? To rejoice. To look not for peace in the world, but for God's peace. He closes out Sunday's lectionary reading with this advice:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

What are we called to do when we cannot change world around us? We are called to rejoice. To see the good. Do not respond to the violence around us with anxiety, but rather with prayer.

As I write this, the country I love has tortured a woman in the effort to put her to death. Immigrants sit in detention centers without necessary services or any of their constitutional rights. Trans kids are afraid they cannot get the medical care they need. In my own neighborhood parents afraid of a traumatized teen are lashing out against his parents.

And a butterfly and a bee are taking turns visiting a huge orange-flowering bush in my yard. The sun shines through the monarch wings, in strong contrast to green leaves. Below this a huge white pumpkin plant--a volunteer from last year's halloween--supports six pale fruits, two sitting comfortably in the arms of my azalea bush. Six kids hang out on the jungle gym.

Does this keep me from sharpening my curmudgeon ax? It does not. But it does remind me that constant anger and attack and self-righteousness does not save the world. My role in the world must include standing up for the least among us. But I am better able to do that if I am also listening to the words of Paul. Rejoice. Be gentle. Replace anxiety with prayer. If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Self-care is world care. Self-care is resistance. Self-care is God's love.

What is your church doing, or thinking about doing these days? How are you being here in your particular place? Just reply to this email to let me know what's happening. ​
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Iris DeMent is a favorite of mine. This song Working On A World is about working for the long haul--creating a world we'll never see. (3:45).

An article about Audre Lorde and her commitment to self-care as part of the resistance.

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