Laying Down Our Laments
In our March 9 worship services many of us came to our “wailing wall” and offered our laments to God. There were several themes that emerged in those laments.
The current situation in our government, the cessation of refugee resettlement programs, and the many who are losing jobs are significant causes for lament among our faith family. We mourned the loss of civility in our government and in our communities. Others of us lamented the wars that rage all over the world, especially in Israel-Palestine and in Ukraine.
Many of us expressed grief. We mourn the loss of loved ones who have died, loved ones whose health is failing, loved ones who are estranged, and the loss of energy and physical abilities associated with aging. Some lamented the loss of cherished pets.
Many of us expressed regret about our shortcomings and wish we would do better at many things. Laments related to stress at home and work were also posted on the wailing wall. Some regret not having a sense of personal well-being and good emotional health. There were others who expressed concern for the spiritual well-being of loved ones and of the church in general.
Many of you found it helpful to approach the wall and physically offer your laments to God. It was a way of laying them down and perhaps feeling some lightening of your burdens. The Wednesday morning prayer breakfast has made a commitment to pray for the concerns that were expressed on March 9 during the Lenten season. –Pastor Becky Fuchs