A bubble of breath in the midst of chaos

20th Anniversary of 9-11

This weekend was the 20th anniversary of the attacks of 9-11. There were memorial services and television specials all over the country. Even here in the Bootheel, the Stars and Stripes Museum in Bloomfield debuted an exhibit recounting the attacks and the effects they have had over the last two decades.

Because it was such a significant anniversary, Lily and I found this years’ commemorations hitting us especially hard. Instead of participating in any big group activities, we decided to mark the event privately. We made a pilgrimage to the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery where we sat and talked through our experiences. We cried, held each other, and reflected on all the people we know who have borne the pain of that day, as well as the military conflicts which arose as a result.

Originally, I had intended to make a pastoral video offering words of support to the members of the church, but after three aborted takes, I found myself unable to come up with the right words. Instead, I was able to draw on a video from the General Minister and President of the Disciples of Christ.

She reminded the church that “we are a movement for wholeness. And part of that wholeness is not that we will not grieve, not that we will not know trauma, but that we will, among ourselves with, and for, each other, create communities where care is possible, where healing is possible, and where hope is always present.”

Borrowing words from Scripture

It was not until yesterday during the sermon that I was able to find any words of my own. The scripture text was the first biblical creation story in Genesis 1. I reflected on the fact that even in the chaos of the world, God is able to create a place for us to flourish. The dome in the sky was likened to an air bubble where we are able to breathe and experience new life.

Chaos is a reality for everyone from time to time. It might be the resurgence of the coronavirus, economic challenges, or family health crises. In those moments the Holy Spirit offers us an opportunity to take a breath. The reminder that God’s word is constantly bringing about a new creation helped me through the grief of this weekend. It also gave me the hope that our world will be able to reconstruct something better and more beautiful on the other side of this.

Prayer for a space to breathe

On this weekend of reflection, even if you do not use the language of the Holy Spirit, it is my prayer that you are able to find space for yourself to breathe. We all need a place where we can rest, know we are not alone, and be restored. Wherever or whatever that is for you, I pray that you allow yourself to savor that reality and find ways to allow new life to take root around you each and every day.