Do One Thing to Keep Your Spirits Up: Love
Friends, are you doom scrolling incessantly these days? Wondering if democracy will survive? And if it does survive, fearing what shape it’ll be in? Concerned about your LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors? How about those who are immigrants? How about the world? How about your mental health?
I wish I could say, “Don’t worry…be happy!” And, if I’m being honest, I wish I could record such a song with those words and make a bazillion dollars. Now that would make me happy. But I digress.
There is one concrete thing you can do as you face the world in these uncertain times: Love.
Remember that old scripture? The one that Jesus said (quoting from Deuteronomy and Leviticus)?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27, NRSV).
While every day is the perfect day to love as Jesus encouraged us, there’s a perfect day coming up to really express that sentiment: Valentine’s Day.
You might not be feeling the love (yet). But observing Valentine’s Day by celebrating others may be just the thing you need to change your mood.
Don’t believe me? How about if Mayo Clinic gives the lowdown:
Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.
You’ve still got a week before we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Here are some things you can be planning to do now:
Send a Valentine’s note of gratitude to your staff (imagine how thrilled they’ll be!)
Write a Valentine’s Day card to your most dedicated leaders and volunteers (can you ever thank them enough?)
Hand out Valentine’s candies at worship on Feb. 16 (be sure to make a big deal out of it…it’s not just an afterthought – it’s because you appreciate them)
Send a card to three of your most difficult people (even they need love)
This week, I’ve been hand-addressing Valentine’s envelopes for a local non-profit. As I wrote the addresses, I found myself praying a prayer of gratitude for many of these people – most of whom I didn’t know
Did it change the world? No. Do I still have to be on top of my game and ready to stand up for what’s right? Yes. Did I feel a shift in my heart by thinking of my “neighbors” in a positive, love-filled way? You bet.
So go ahead, take a mental health day and show a little love to your congregation. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be in a better place to face the world if you do.
Photo credit: Karolina Grabowska @pexels.com
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Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered! The Western Jurisdiction Bishops of the UMC just released this video. It’s encouraging and inspiring.
Schedule a meeting now.
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