Called Deeper Together - Encountering Jesus Through My Village

My kids started a new school year again, but nothing was as it normally was. It was the Fall of 2020 and we were still figuring out how to “do life” during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the plus side, we had learned proper hand-washing technique, made it through the sudden change of the lockdown in March, lasted through the heat of a summer with less activities and increased family time, and figured out what back-to-school looked like during a pandemic. On the other hand , those six months between March and September of 2020 also brought tremendous fears, tears, unknowns, risk calculations, and mental health challenges. After recreating self-care rituals, finding creative ways to feel connected to friends and family, and turning to - all virtual- spiritual direction, therapy sessions, and doctor appointments, I realized in September that the changing of the leaves had brought some respite with it. I felt like I was on firm ground again. Turning to the Ignatian prayer tool of the Examen, I paused to look at how it was that I managed to stay standing.

I was thankful for God’s faithfulness to me, but what came pouring out in my journal was a psalm of praise for the people surrounding me. It was in this moment of prayer as Jesus and I looked at the community around me, that I wrote this ’Prayer for My Village”.

Lord,
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child.
But in truth, it takes a village

for each of us to walk through

the busyness and messiness of all parts of our lives.

Thank you Lord for my village of support,
the people you have put in my path that give me

hope when I am hopeless,

share in my joys,

hold my sorrows with me,

and remind me that I am not alone.

Thank you Lord for those things that I lean on to hold me up,

comforts like a cup of hot tea, a good meal, and a tight hug,

experts like doctors, therapists, and spiritual directors whose expertise

help me solve problems, keep me going, and bring greater awareness,

the beauty of the sunset, the bloom of a flowering bush, the soft wind on a hot day,

the practical supports like medications, bandages, and ice packs,

light traffic, short lines, and canceled obligations.

You built us with a longing for community
for which I am so grateful.

Open my heart and loosen the stumbling blocks of pride and ego.

Help me accept your love poured out through my village.

Remind me that I am not alone.

Not only do I have you with me always,

but you have also placed all of these people and

things in my life for the specific reason of pointing

me to you and walking with me in my everyday.

AMEN

For me, this prayer was not only my way of thanking God for “my village” and all of the supports I have, but it also gave me a way to name and honor the fact that I was intentionally placed in this community out of God’s love for me, and that my village helped point me back to Jesus as a companion in my suffering.

Looking with the eyes of the Holy Spirit widened my view of community. No longer just a circle of friends or my family, I was drawn to notice and appreciate all of the supporting characters in my life, including people, things, and my environment. I took note of small and large actions of those around me who were Jesus to me, lifting me in hope, appreciating my gifts, and honoring my limitations.

As I treaded back through the murky and unknown waters looking with Jesus, I was also able to see how I had been placed in other people’s villages and how my actions helped bring hope and point others to the hope that is only found in Jesus. Even during a time that I was feeling like I was failing at everything and not functioning terribly well, Jesus still found ways to use my gifts for the glory of God. Remembering this filled me with deep consolation knowing that I was truly not alone.

Our new series, Called Deeper Together, explores encounter, with Jesus and with community, as a key part of our Christian faith. My experience praying with the Examen that day helped me see the community around me in a new way and how my community anchors me in the hope of Christ. I included an Examen prayer to guide you in considering how your “village” helps you encounter Christ.

An Examen of My Village

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see all that surrounds you. Invite Jesus to walk alongside you as you look together at a period of time where you needed a whole village of support to surround you.
2. Be thankful. As you focus on the people, things, and environment that surrounds you, for what are you thankful?
3. Notice God’s presence. As you stand with Jesus looking together at your life playing back like a movie, at what moments did you know you were not alone? When were you able to openly accept the support of your village? When did you feel Jesus with you? When did you feel your community bringing you love, peace, or joy?
4. Notice a lack of God’s presence. When did pride or ego or other stumbling blocks keep you from accepting support? What is in your village that pulled you away from love, peace, or joy?
5. Look to the future. In this present moment, turn to Jesus and tell him what you need from your village currently. Ask for opportunities to support and appreciate all who make up your village.

Going Deeper

• Read about the flexibility of the Examen.
• Learn more about community and how Ignatian Ministries invites you into our community.
• Read about Jesus as a companion in our suffering.
• Be prepared to be a strong village for others! Register for our upcoming All Souls Day Virtual Workshop, “Do As I Have Done”: Offering Christ’s Compassion, Comfort, and Companionship to those who Grieve.

Kathy Powell

Kathy, a big-picture thinker and passionate nonprofit and faith-based communications professional, lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband Kent and three children. As a co-founder and Chief Dreaming Officer of Ignatian Ministries, Kathy uses her creativity and strategy skills to ensure that Ignatian Ministries lives their mission. She spends her free time reminding her kids to use their inside voices, cooking without recipes, and walking with families who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.