Pastor Paul
Last night as I was attempting to complete some tasks (paying bills and some research), I had one of those moments. A moment when I was transported back to March-May 2020. A moment that brought my gut back to the sensations I experienced on many a Sunday morning when my Zoom worship would go haywire. (And yes, on two occasions I did say “Oh, s*#t” clearly and distinctly into the microphone – for which I got more positive feedback than any sermon I have EVER preached.) Last night the modem was acting up, and then my computer kept freezing. I ran antivirus and scanned and went to YouTube on my phone looking for possible solutions. Things would resolve and then moments later unresolve and the final straw was the failure of the printer when I had a window of opportunity of everything else settling down. “Error” messages with blinking red lights are never, ever a good sign for the technologically challenged (who doesn’t have a 10-year-old handy to walk up and do her little magic!) I lost it, shut everything down and went to bed.
This morning, of course, I nervously fired up everything and signs of last night’s horror show are non-existent. Everything is running just as smoothly as it should. Go figure.
So, imagine the giggle I got when I went to the office and after putting down my things (including the offending laptop), noticed a book Pastor Judith owns We Pray With Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead.1 Though I don’t officially fully qualify I opened the book -- it opened to the following:
“A Prayer in the Midst of Technical Difficulties”
(Or God, I have already smashed the patriarchy today, please don’t make me smash the printer too!)
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” [Psalm 139 -- my personal favorite] But I wish you would search and know this machinery so I don’t have to pull out my hair trying to figure it out. And yes, I already tried shutting it down and turning it back on again. I have important things to do, and so I just need your wisdom dealing with technology so I can go about the rest of the day – because the day will not stop!
These frustrations build and build, and I don’t have the time or the energy for it. Help me transform this moment into a space for breath and reconnection. Soothe my aggravated nerves and help me see clearing in the midst of the mess. Amen. ---Rev. Shannon E. Sullivan
“O Lord, I am thankful that you made Pat sleep through the whole episode, and you didn’t let me smash the printer! But next time could you send me the message I need before I need it?” Amen ---Rev. Paul Goodman
1We Pray With Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead, copyright ©2018 Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN.
This morning, of course, I nervously fired up everything and signs of last night’s horror show are non-existent. Everything is running just as smoothly as it should. Go figure.
So, imagine the giggle I got when I went to the office and after putting down my things (including the offending laptop), noticed a book Pastor Judith owns We Pray With Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead.1 Though I don’t officially fully qualify I opened the book -- it opened to the following:
“A Prayer in the Midst of Technical Difficulties”
(Or God, I have already smashed the patriarchy today, please don’t make me smash the printer too!)
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” [Psalm 139 -- my personal favorite] But I wish you would search and know this machinery so I don’t have to pull out my hair trying to figure it out. And yes, I already tried shutting it down and turning it back on again. I have important things to do, and so I just need your wisdom dealing with technology so I can go about the rest of the day – because the day will not stop!
These frustrations build and build, and I don’t have the time or the energy for it. Help me transform this moment into a space for breath and reconnection. Soothe my aggravated nerves and help me see clearing in the midst of the mess. Amen. ---Rev. Shannon E. Sullivan
“O Lord, I am thankful that you made Pat sleep through the whole episode, and you didn’t let me smash the printer! But next time could you send me the message I need before I need it?” Amen ---Rev. Paul Goodman
1We Pray With Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead, copyright ©2018 Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN.