Tidings of Comfort & Joy, No. 4

Tidings of Comfort & Joy, No. 4

Today's #songsofcomfort offering comes from James Taylor, who sings that "the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time" and "the secret of love is in opening up your heart." He reminds us that "it's okay to feel afraid, but don't let that stand in your way."

Comfort, O comfort my people,

says your God.

These words from Isaiah 40 speak right now. And one thing we can do right now is to be good neighbors. Our children's and youth minister share this message, reminding us that tomorrow is Mister Rogers's birthday. She shared a One Silent Minute activity from the SALT Project. And she's asking that we be good neighbors and all write a note and/or draw a picture to send someone in our congregation.

Many of us need comforting. There are those who live alone, or who live in personal care facilities, who may be feeling isolated and need a little attention right now. There are those who you might not even realize have lost work because of this crisis, in addition to those who were already looking for work, who need some love. And I know that at least some of the extroverts, who are energized by interacting with others, are struggling and could use some contact right now. Even introverts like me need some interaction, lest we retreat into a dark place. So be a neighbor and reach out, whether by old-fashioned hand-written letter, by email, by text, by phone call, by video, or whatever. Just reach out. 

And if you need help getting into neighbor mode, Holly encourages us to stream some Mister Rogers' Neighborhood episodes or the Won't You Be My Neighbor? documentary.

I also encourage you to check out the bonus podcast episode of The Happiness Lab, from Yale psychology professor Laurie Santos, called Beat Your Isolation Loneliness. The key takeaway: This is a vast shared experience. We are not alone. All of us are experiencing this crisis together, so use this time to form new and deeper bonds. I also love the reminder that, as we look for ways to help others, remind yourself that social distancing is one of the key ways we can help during this time. Just don't let social distancing lead to social isolation.

Also, check out this short video message from Laura Stephens-Reed, who reminds us how hard clergy and church staff are working during these times, as they try to navigate the short-term and long-term of how to do church and be church. She encourages us to reach out with a word of support and comfort to them. She also asks us to offer our time and expertise.

And, as always, make a special effort to find moments of joy.

As joy guru Ingrid Fetell Lee says: "Because joy lives in moments, it's a lot simpler and easier to find than happiness." And she points to research showing that "these little moments of joy often have a halo effect, where their impact reaches beyond the moment of joy itself." Read to find out why small moments of joy "can be a spark that starts a much bigger chain reaction toward a happier life."

Here are a few local moments of joy for you...

• Check out these pieces green art submitted by several in our congregation in response to the St. Patrick's Day devotion our children's and youth minister shared.
• The Memphis Zoo is doing daily a variety of virtual activities: Zoo Dude, Zoo News, and Virtual Wild Encounters. This may or may not bring you joy.
• But the Memphis Public Libraries are doing daily story time, and that should definitely bring joy. So fun!
• Opera Memphis will be serenading folks around town, free of charge, which is just lovely.
• And this public service announcement from the Grindfather, Tony Allen, is pure joy.

Live. Love. Laugh. Pray.