“The Holiness of No”

“As my grandmother would say, ‘put some greens on that plate.’ Move your body. Drink some water. Learn the holiness of ‘no.’”-Dr. Thelma Bryant

The above directives from Dr. Thelma Bryant are extremely valuable as we navigate life. When exploring the narrative of Jesus calming the storm, we considered in our worship all the things that weigh heavily on us. We talked about how Jesus didn’t say, “there is nothing to be afraid of,” but rather that we cannot escape the wind and waves of life and so we must trust in the God who is present to us and powerful in the face of life’s storms.

I was thinking about how even though we must rely on God, we are not expected to be entirely passive. And taking care of these vessels that God has given us to carry our Spirit is vital. So, in the days and weeks to come I challenge us to be mindful of what we put into our bodies. I’m a sucker for sweets but I do also strive to put something green on my plate these days! Move your body, which is quickly followed by stay hydrated! In these extremely hot days pay attention to what your body is telling you. You don’t have to be a knot on a log, but don’t drive yourself to heat stroke either!

And finally, learn the holiness of ‘no.’ The biggest lesson of surviving this life, and perhaps the hardest achievement unlocked is that of setting boundaries. To learn when to say no when you mean it, because a no here is a yes somewhere else. Determine what you can live with so that you can live well. These determinations can build our strength physically, mentally, and emotionally so that when the wind and waves do come—while we are trusting the Lord to calm the storm around us, we can be better prepared to center ourselves.