Reflections from the Home Team - April 4, 2020
“We all most likely can acknowledge that at some time we have burned the candle at both ends… We all need MARGIN in our lives (and I’m not referring to ‘physical distancing’ here…) Simply put, MARGIN = what may be missing in our lives, and the COVID -19 challenge is providing us that opportunity.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, bringing with it all the frustrations that force changes in our daily lives, I firmly believe we will get through this together with thoughtful, consistent, science-based and open communication and decision-making. Right now, we are on defense concerning the virus and hunkering down through social distancing, washing hands constantly and avoiding touching one’s face. This is the way for the time being. It has been frustrating for many. I know I feel it not being able to see my mom “in person” on a regular basis, but we know it is for the good of not only her, but others as well.
There will always be some uncertainty about the underlying science as this is a new experience for all of us, and by applying a precautionary approach where uncertainty exists, and implementing well-reasoned decisions about how best to limit the dissemination of COVID-19, things will improve. It is unfortunate we are not as prepared as we could have been, given the many years we've been planning for pandemic influenza. But rather than criticizing past decisions, I am hopeful we can move forward together in a way that ensures our healthcare and other high-priority workforces have the highest degree of protection possible. And perhaps we'll make better decisions going forward, once this pandemic is over.
As you may know, I always try to find positives in challenges that come our way, and this is certainly one of them! The social distancing and isolation practices being employed have provided me more time to read and reflect on the thoughts and experiences of others. Tricia and I are currently reading a book for our Small Group Bible Study titled The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith. Wonderful book, and as is often the case, this read had led me to another author who has given me some valuable perspectives that help me understand and get through this current pandemic challenge. Smith does an excellent job of helping us discover the narratives that Jesus lived by vs. the often-false narratives we have come to develop about God in our daily lives. He also provides some spiritual exercises he refers to as Soul Training that help us develop and grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God. This week’s Soul Training exercise involves the concept of “Margin”.
Given that backdrop, Smith introduces us in the Soul Training exercise to Dr. Richard Swenson who has written a book by the title Margin. Imagine that… As we all are aware from our English classes, margin refers to the space on the edge of a paper where there is no text. Swenson points out that the pages we read in a book have margins on the top, bottom and sides. If words stretched from top to bottom and to both edges, there would be no margin. Swenson points out that our lives are often like that… I know personally I can relate to that. So often, I have added so much to my schedule that I have little “margin” for leisure and rest and family and health and God. I think that may describe many of our situations “pre” COVID-19.
Dr. Swenson describes margin and being marginless this way:
“The conditions of modern-day living devour margin… Marginless is being 30 minutes late to the doctor’s office because you were 20 minutes late out of the hairdresser’s because you were ten minutes late dropping the children off at school because the car ran out of gas two blocks from the gas station - and you forgot your purse.
Margin on the other hand is having breath left at the top of the staircase, money left at the end of the month and sanity left at the end of adolescence.
Marginless is the baby crying and the phone ringing at the same time; margin is grandma taking the baby for the afternoon.
Marginless is being asked to carry a load five pounds heavier than you can lift (I’ve been guilty of that); margin is a friend to carry half the burden.
Marginless is not having time to finish the book you’re reading on stress; margin is having the time to read it twice.”
Does this sound familiar to you? I know it does to me. I definitely made some adjustments on margin in my life following cancer, but it has taken me a while to learn the secret to creating margin in our lives, especially in retirement. Margin will help you erect boundaries to protect your time and sanity at a time when you may desperately need both!
Dr. Swenson describes a simple, but very difficult to enact “secret” to help make this happen… “Just say no.” That has been very difficult for me, but I’m working on it. By saying no to anything that is not absolutely necessary to the well-being of your soul or the welfare of others, we can go about our days with a rhythm and pace in which we can feel happy and at peace.
To me, this is the “silver lining” in this whole pandemic exercise we are currently going through. We are literally being forced to create some much needed “MARGIN” in our lives. (and I’m not referring to ‘physical distancing’ here…) We all most likely can acknowledge that at some time we have burned the candle at both ends… We all need MARGIN. Simply put, MARGIN = what may be missing in our lives, and the COVID -19 challenge is providing us that opportunity. As Dr. Swenson points out, when we lack margin, it is most often of our own doing. After all, God never called anyone to be marginless…
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
By reevaluating our priorities and determining the value of rest and simplicity in our lives, we can see where each of our individual identity’s really comes from. The benefits can be good health, financial stability, fulfilling relationships, and availability for God’s purpose. This can become our new reality as we work through this current challenge together.
God’s richest blessings and good health your way!!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
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