That’s What Judy Said. part 4 of 5

Our “Being There” group, one of Centenary’s Wonderful Wednesday opportunities, had a guest speaker this week.

It’s with her permission that I share these lines from my notes of what she said.

Speaking of  times when you and I are needing help and comfort, either as the person in crisis or a caregiver, this is what Judy said —

“It’s okay to ask someone to distract you.”

One of my many early learnings as a new pastor came from people unable to get out often.  At church, we had begun sharing The Sacrament of Holy Communion on a more regular basis in worship, and I had phone calls asking for me to come by with the bread and cup.

I was thrilled!

But it didn’t take long to find that while Holy Communion was a reason I was there, these home-bound church members were often not as interested in the liturgy as were in church news.

“How did Flossie’s surgery go?”

“Was Pete’s son-in-law with him on Sunday?”

“How much hair does Maxine’s great grand-daughter really have?  As much as Maxine says?”

St. Paul would identify quickly with what these people were really saying.  Centuries before, a young friend of St. Paul’s was asked in a letter to “bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” (2nd Timothy 4:13)  Paul had been brooding over his situation long enough and wanted some favorite reading material to take his mind off of things.  And probably his friend Carpus would send some news along with that cloak, too.

That’s what Judy said —

“It’s okay to ask someone to distract you.”