Star Word 2024 - Prep for 2025

If you follow me, you've probably noticed that I write about star words twice a year...at the end and at the beginning. (One year I recapped all my star words here.) This year I'm a bit late, and I don't have my new star word yet, so here's what I usually write at the end: a recap of my year with my 2024 word "gratitude."

As usual, I wasn't thrilled with this word when I got it.  Hadn't I already spent enough time talking and thinking about gratitude?  I've even been processing the idea of toxic gratitude.  When depression is hitting hard, do not tell me that "there's always always always something to be thankful for."  There were many years during which I would agree about being always thankful, and probably even quoted Paul's letter to the Thessalonians which says to "be thankful in all circumstances" (1 Thes. 5:18).  If I ever did that to you, I'm sorry.

Unfortunately, Paul's words have been overused and abused, and I don't think the average white middle-class American has much understanding of the kinds of circumstances Paul had encountered, anyway.  I know I haven't experienced war or jail or shipwreck or whipping, and I hope I never do.  But I also hope I'm better at having empathy than I used to be, and better at just listening.

It may have happened this year that I got in the habit of ending blog posts and sermons by saying, "Thanks, God."  So I guess the gratitude has found its way in at least a little bit.

I used to be somewhat religious about writing thankfulness lists in my journals, and writing thank-you notes to people.  Now I'm more likely to send a text or email. I think I'm probably more likely to be thankful in the moment than in looking back to write a list.  And maybe that's better anyway.

Only God knows for sure.

Thanks, God.

Sabbatical Sililoquy on Showers

Photo by Caleb Wright on Unsplash 

Today I took a shower. Generally that's not terribly significant, but during this sabbatical I haven't taken showers as often.  Which got me thinking...showers are almost always good for thinking...

1) Whenever I wait to long to get a shower, I really need it. I can tell, even though I tend to put it off. (I'm fine. It's fine.) I could tell I really needed this sabbatical too. 

2) Showers are for dealing with our physical dirt. This sabbatical has helped me deal with spiritual and emotional dirt. (Yeah, I wasn't as fine as I was telling myself.)

3) Showering is a bit wonky at our house because the main floor bathroom only has a tub. The shower in the basement is fab, but it's not that convenient to trudge down to the basement for a shower. We're finally addressing this problem, admitting to ourselves that it's really not as ok as we pretend, and hopefully by the time this sabbatical is over, we'll have a real shower on the main floor.

4) I am thankful to have any shower. Not everyone does. Some food banks have added public showers because of this. And laundry facilities. Some churches have washers and dryers too, so people can do their laundry while they're at church. 

My small town doesn't have a laundromat (aka washateria) or public transportation. I wonder how people manage? 

There's an old adage that says cleanliness is next to godliness. It's kind of a weird saying, really. Sounds kinda judgy. But lovingly offering the gift of free showers and laundry is kindness, and kindness is definitely Godly. 

Things to think about.

Thanks, God.