Chaplain Lynne writes:

December…    is a hard month for many people.

Its holiday stressors, family gatherings that can be difficult, memory triggers that can be hard for those dealing with loss, and then it is compounded because it is the end of one year leading into another. This stimulates thoughts of what went right and what went wrong. Expectations can clash with reality.

Look around you… look within you. Do you see someone hurting, stressed, or hanging on for dear life?

Look for the signs of increased stress…

Lack of sleep, poor eating habits, isolative behavior, use of substances, anxiety statements, irritability and depression.

Someone who can’t meet your eyes, or who just brushes off your inquiries into how they are holding up, may need more support.

What about you, Chaplain?  How are you holding up?

Are you being able to be light-hearted, or are you too serious? It is possible to be joyful and serious.  You can be both hard-working and worry-free. You were fashioned by a skilled craftsman. You are His workmanship. He made you for both things—to be His child and fully grown. Maturation comes from growing older, but it also comes from walking a hard path… but being resilient, allows joy.

As does surrendering… Surrendering what is not yours to hold on too.

All the pain you witness, affects you.  Release it to Him.  So, you can be there for them.

What can you let go of now, a responsibility you carry alone, but can share with your Faith Builder?

When you entrust to Him, what you are holding on to, clinging to, if even unwillingly… then your resilience grows, His power grows within, and His peace is deeper plus Hope swells larger.

There are so many people who currently feel like they are barely hanging on. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally. Just figuratively standing on the edge of a cliff. Everywhere you look, people are going through hard things.   If you see someone on the edge, by having that peace and hope within you, you can reach out and steady them.

Allow your peace within, your Hope, to enter into their place of hardness. Your words won’t be needed … just your presence. Perhaps it is through a text,  or maybe a social media post , phone call, or a letter. Consider a cup of coffee or a meal…  or perhaps it is a simple as showing grace, mercy and a smile, or a hug.

It doesn’t matter how you do it.  Let the Spirit lead you.

But please reach out, so they know that someone, somewhere, cares enough to be there. It can make their grip last longer and be easier.

Chaplains, reach out to other chaplains as well.

Your faith foundation within, becomes your expression to them. You are the hands and arms on this earth, and there is nothing your creator wants more then to hold them close right now.

Be Love’s “hands and arms” …
Hold on with all your heart, to bring them close to His.

“He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.” ~ Isaiah 40:11 NLT