Greta Connor writes:

“I used to think that the verse from Psalm 23, ‘surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life…’ was ‘Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy shall follow you…’ when I was a kid. Words we hear in church don’t always resonate until later in life. Prior to the pandemic, the words ‘grace and mercy’ seemed quaint in a ‘Who has time for that?’ world.

The pandemic brought change, uncertainty, and chaos, but it also brought a slower pace and increased my ability to empathize. As we emerge from the pandemic, I’m hoping to keep my new outlook and approach life’s disappointments and stressors with more ‘grace and mercy’ for both myself and others.”

Reverend Christine V. Hides
Thank you, Greta, for reminding us of our continuing ability to choose grace and empathy. A “better normal” for Children and Family Ministry means supporting families’ spiritual journeys as a part of our overall well-being.  This is why we are sharing weekly excerpts from the Parent Wellness Compass book focused on spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health. This week’s article, All In The Same Boat, helps remind us not to take our struggles, worries, and disappointments out on each other.