Guardian Angels News

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. William Arthur Ward.

These words really convict me at times, pointing out how I get so stuck on being right - how everybody else must agree with my perception of something, my take – of course! Why wouldn’t they?

In my work I have had to stop myself, take a breath, challenge myself to see what it might look like to someone else, how much truth might lie in their perception, how someone might have arrived at that viewpoint which is different from my own. (more times than I would like to admit.) It is truly humbling, but it helps me to try to understand another’s point of view and try to expand my own viewpoint by incorporating what I’ve learned from a different perspective. I have learned that rarely is anything as cut and dried, black and white as I may have thought!

This is especially common with any change. There have been changes - done deals and proposed -  right here in our own Church world.  Some are rejoicing. Some are definitely, and loudly, not rejoicing.  Our faith, our religious anchor, our Church can be one of the hottest buttons there are, because it means so much to us, it forms who we are and how we live. Emotions are involved.  It makes it harder to know where we are and why we are when things in our Church world change. We don’t want to be angry, yet we can’t just let the anchor of our faith change. What are we supposed to do? I like this quote because it speaks of the different ways we can respond to what’s happening around us. Ultimately, the way we respond is all we have control over, though we may wish it to be different. These obstacles are opportunities for me to look at my own perspective more deeply – where did this belief come from? How was I influenced to have this perspective? How does digging my heels in and voicing my frustration to my community affect those around me? What do I understand to be the reasoning behind this conflicting perspective? What truth might I find within this conflicting perspective if I really looked and listened?  What am I afraid of if things change? What emotions does this conflicting view bring up in me, and where do they come from? What truth might stay the same no matter what changes are made that conflict with my perspective? What would really change for me if this change were to come to pass?  How would it change me? My experience of Church? My Faith? What would that change stem from? How could I still practice my faith within a church / parish that is changing? Are these changes that rock my faith – or only wiggle it? How could I be more open, more understanding?  How well have I looked at this from all sides and being informed by my faith?

It's tough to find folks with whom I can discuss these things when my emotions run hot. It may make them feel uncomfortable, or if they agree, it is just pouring fuel on the fire of my already hot emotions and escalating my discontent without working toward any common ground or resolution. I still want to worship in my church, and the Church will always be changing. What am I going to do?

I could try to find someone who would listen without judgment, not tell me I’m wrong, not try to tell me what to do, not belittle my point of view... someone who could reflect back to me what they hear me saying to see if that is what I meant, and maybe this could help me clarify what I believe and why. Someone who could point out the emotions they might be seeing / hearing in me, and which I then could reflect on and figure out where they came from.  Someone who could help me find within myself the tools to navigate through this uncomfortable space. Maybe  I could talk to a BeFriender. What if I tried just one visit? It wouldn’t hurt me… could help… I wouldn’t have to continue the visits unless I chose to do so. I won’t know what it’s like unless I try. What have I got to lose?  This is tough negative energy to try to wade through by myself... Maybe it would be worth it to try a BeFriender.  Contact MaryPat Potts – 651-789-3178,

Loving God, you create life to be moving, changing – what it means to be alive.

Thank you for this, even when I can’t get my head around it.

Help to look for where YOU are within changes that I might not like.

Help me to listen to others as well, and open my heart.

May your Holy Spirit he,p me to navigate through the types of changes that trigger my emotions.

May I accept this challenge to grow and find opportunity within these changes.

Help me to be brave enough to take advantage of help that is offered, recognizing these as your gift. ~ Amen