Up until a few weeks ago, “zoom” just meant going really, really fast. Recently, though, it’s become a reference to the video conferencing platform that has suddenly become the most the most popular z word since zebra! In the event there is one lone soul in this lovely tribe of readers that hasn’t yet become acquainted with Zoom, it’s a virtual way to connect with other people in groups through a common link that enables each one to enter a “room” where the camera on your device (phone, laptop, etc.) provides a live video image for each one who joins. Then the little tile images are randomly sorted and displayed somewhere on the screen – sort of like the opening of the Brady Bunch. (And please just Google it if you don’t know who the Brady Bunch are….I’m already feeling 107 this week!)

So as people all over are sheltering in place, practicing social distancing and for the most part, living in temporary isolation, people are still doing what God created people to do….forming connections in the ways that they can, and for thousands of churches, businesses, learning communities, families and groups of all types one way to do that has been via Zoom. Which, as it turns out, is aptly named!

After a couple of weeks of reorganization, all of my grad. school courses have now been transferred to an online format, and I have three classes on Mondays, which means I spent SEVEN HOURS in video conferencing today….I honestly only remember half of what was taught because, like everyone else, I’m sort of on overload both mentally and emotionally, which is why I made the decision to take the last hour of classtime and retreat to yet another Zoom session for a Bible study on the book of Philippians. (So, now my cover’s blown, but I really am a responsible student…really, I am…but I also know when my tank is empty, and I was runnin’ on fumes around here!) 

I’ve always loved this letter from Paul to the church at Philippi. It’s written with such tenderness and compassion, and it did my heart good to recall the familiar promises found there, but along with words of affirmation and comfort that Paul was offering to this group of people he so clearly loved was his proclamation of gratitude to God and to them. In fact, after the introduction of the letter, his first words were, “I thank my God….”

Paul, who for the cause of the gospel of Jesus had faced opposition from every side, including from his own faith community, had suffered beatings, public ridicule and survived multiple emprisonments (and was in fact writing this letter from prison) begins by thanking God. Why would he do that? How could he do that? What would make him thank God in the face of such hard, hard times…when so much was out of his control, and unfair, and frightening, and uncertain….sound familiar? Yeh….

I think we’ve all had lots of feelings lately, I know mine have been all over the place, but they haven’t all been bad. Along with the chaos there have been pools of grace and challenges have been met with creative solutions that probably wouldn’t have been birthed had they not been in response to a crisis, but I can’t say “thankful” has been at the top of my mind. So, what I realized tonight as I was Zooming (and zooming) all over the place is that I need something to help focus my mind, my heart and my prayers for awhile. Things are moving so, so fast, and it’s easy to live in response mode rather than standing in faith and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and use us to love and serve God and others.

One way to focus our minds on Jesus and live out of a place of gratitude is to use a prayer guide, and there are lots of resources just a click away, but two to consider might be what’s called the ACTS Prayer and also The Daily Examen, introduced by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Or make up your own! It doesn’t matter so much what tool we use as just finding a way to slow down, recall the goodness and providence of God and develop a heart of gratitude no matter how chaotic it may look and feel around us.

So, today taught me that I love Zoom as a connection platform, just not so much as a lifestyle! I need times of quiet and focus in order to be reminded who it is that’s writing the story of my life and even in the chaos, to lift my eyes to the one who knows me best and loves me most…..and thank my God.

Thankful for YOU!

Shellie ♥

Good to Me

Audrey Assad

I put all my hope
On the truth of Your promise
And I steady my heart
On the ground of Your goodness
When I’m bowed down with sorrow
I will lift up Your name
And the foxes in the vineyard
Will not steal my joy

Because You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me

And I lift my eyes
To the hills where my help is found
Your voice fills the night
Raise my head up and hear the sound
Though fires burn all around me
I will praise You, my God
And the foxes in the vineyard
Will not steal my joy

Because You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me
Because You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me

Your goodness and mercy shall follow me
All my life
I’ll trust in Your promise
And your goodness and mercy shall follow me
All my life
I’ll trust in Your promise
Your goodness and mercy shall follow me
All my life
I will trust in Your promise

Because You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me, good to me
You are good to me

Songwriters: Audrey Assad
Good to Me lyrics © Music Services, Inc