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Just start where you are

Pastoral Messages | October 31, 2024

I adore my children. They are quite capable of doing many things, but keeping their rooms clean is not among their talents. I think it’s due to their creativity and full lives, but when the time comes to clean, they become easily overwhelmed. They just don’t know where to start, it all just seems so enormously messy. My advice is often: “Just start where you are.” Start in one spot, with one reachable thing until that area is clean, then move to the next.

I have come to experience that these words are not only helpful when faced with piles of stuffed animals and cardboard creations. “Just start where you are” has become my own sort of encouragement when a task feels big, or I feel overwhelmed or uncertain.

It’s been a grounding practice in these complicated days. Like many people, I’ve felt anxious about the upcoming election, the enormity of grief around us, and the violence of our world these days. When my worry about the uncertain future feels so big that it begins to paralyze me, I try to remember, “Just start where you are.”

In a prayerful way, we can all ground ourselves in the here and the now. It helps when overwhelmed by projects or problems, or with the big stuff in the world. What can I do right now? What small thing can I accomplish? Who can I love right now? Where can I make peace in my own little corner? Or, as Anna sings in Frozen 2, how can I “do the next right thing?”

It’s a bit like how Jesus tells us to look at the birds and pay attention to the lilies. He’s encouraging us to be where we actually are, fully grounded in a place and time, and not lost in the spiraling anxiety about the future. Jesus says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34).

Today is all we’re given – not only today’s troubles, but also today’s opportunities to love. So, instead of being paralyzed with worry about what might come to be, instead of being overwhelmed by fear, we can start where we are. We can ask, “What can I do to love God, to love my neighbor, here, now, today.”

Just start where you are. This could mean lining up for early voting or helping drive people to the polls. Or maybe it’s sitting on the front stoop tonight and handing out generous amounts of candy to every kid, even the older ones, soaking up the magic of neighborliness. Perhaps it’s sharing food because people will be hungry today, tomorrow, and the day after the election, regardless of who wins. Maybe its buying school supplies for a teacher. Perhaps it’s checking in with a beloved elder or a grieving friend. Maybe it means taking a long walk, listening to the birds, thanking God for the gift of today, breathing deep God’s mercy, strengthened for whatever tomorrow may bring.

Whatever it is, we can disentangle ourselves from the webs anxiety weaves in our heads by doing something, even small things. Here, now. We can just start where we are, one act of goodness at a time, as we help bring God’s reign of love into the world.

-Sara Olson-Smith, associate pastor

9 Comments on “Just start where you are”

  • Kathy Kolar

    November 2, 2024 at 6:20 pm

    Your best article/narrative ever Sara! Especially in today’s overwhelming times 😌

  • Kristy Fuller

    November 2, 2024 at 6:04 am

    Lovely message Sara!

  • Audrey Keeney

    November 1, 2024 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks for this timely message. Needed this today.

  • Gina Bielski

    November 1, 2024 at 10:45 am

    WOW. Thank you so much for this reminder! 🙂

  • Anke Maass

    November 1, 2024 at 7:55 am

    This gives me so much to think on. Wonderful

  • Anke Maass

    November 1, 2024 at 7:53 am

    This gives me so much to think on. Wonderful

  • David McPherson

    October 31, 2024 at 6:10 pm

    As someone who struggles to slow down, thanks for the message.

  • Marcia Willi

    October 31, 2024 at 4:07 pm

    Sara,
    Taking one thing @ a time, good to be reminded! Sometimes its those “ mini” steps we need to keep in mind thx Sara

  • Deb Lamp

    October 31, 2024 at 3:29 pm

    Great message and one to remember. Thank you Sara
    Deb

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