A Message from Kim Madonia
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Hello friends, I hope this message finds you safe and healthy. Happy New Year! It certainly has been a year filled with “lessons learned”. My 6 & 8-year-old can navigate way more technology then I EVER could have dreamed at this point in their life. Many of us are barely phased any more by wearing masks, carrying pockets full of hand sanitizer and being cognizant of our 6 foot “safety bubble”. We, friends, are resilient. Now, let me be clear, I didn’t say we aren’t tired, frustrated, angry, grieving and sad, because many of us are that as well…we can be both. But one thing that I have realized is I miss people. In one of our virtual Alpha meetings a few weeks ago, I was reminded of one of the many reasons why I miss people so very much…I LOVE seeing God in people, through people. I believe God lives in each of us. It’s up to us to recognize the Light in each other. Some people, it’s easier to see, some, well, let’s just say it takes some practice…but God IS there.
I have been reminded often through this pandemic of an experience I had many years ago. I was visiting friends at their beautiful cottage up in Wisconsin. We hopped on their boat and tooled around the lake. They asked if I have ever used scuba equipment. (Now, I must tell you how VERY much scuba certification is on my bucket list!) Water has always been relaxing and calming to me, even since I was a child. I am a particularly good swimmer and love to dive down as far as my lungs will allow me, to be part of a world, mostly unseen. So, when they asked if I wanted to try their equipment out in the lake, I quickly jumped at the chance! I suited up and got the quick run down about breathing and descending. They mentioned the algae in the lake was high this time of year, making visibility a bit difficult. I was not phased as they continued to explain, I was just so excited to get in the water and breath freely! They instructed me to hold onto the rope and not let go as I swam around to help me keep my bearings. So, in I went! I dipped my head underwater to test my mask, but immediately realized what they were talking about “the visibility in the lake”. Little pods of green, floating like fairies in the water, there were BILLIONS! I stuck my hand out in front of me and barely made out the shape of my fingers. I popped my head up and said “all good, I’m headed down”. They reminded me they would be at the other end of the rope if I needed them. So, down I went. It got quiet. My breathing took on a life of its own and demanded my attention. Short quick breaths, ones I did not feel I could get on top of…I began to panic, “I thought I would be better at this! Focus on your breathing Madonia! COME ON!” My psyche started to mess with me a bit, triggering my claustrophobia because I could not really see where I was, it was darker than at the surface. I felt a bit lost. I was free floating in the water not sure what lie beyond the clouds of green. I gripped the rope a bit tighter and took a deep breath in…and let it out slowly. My inner voice was LOUD in that space. “Kim, you got this, even though you can’t see, you are safe, you have the rope, and the people at the other end of the rope, you can do this!” As I gave myself a pep talk, I found a sense of calm. “I have the rope. It does not matter if I can see or not. Trust the rope.” We are here now. This global pandemic has jacked with EVERYTHING we once knew. Our family life, our work life, our friend interaction, our education, our health but mostly our faith. We don’t know who will end up positive with the virus but it’s safe to say that we all have been truly effected by COVID. For almost the past year, we have sorta lost our way. Nothing is clear. We have experienced sadness, fear, frustration, loss, confusion, and panic, much as I did when I wore that scuba mask. What I would like to challenge us all to do is grip the rope tighter. We all have had a rope at our disposal, through all of this. Maybe some of us didn’t bother with the rope when we dove in, some of us started swimming around out of instinct, some kept it close but only grabbed it if really desperate, and some clung to that rope the second we knew we had it with no intention of letting go until we were safely at the top again. God is our rope right now as the world begs to find its axis and stop spinning madly. Nothing is clear right now, it hasn’t been since March. In this space, we are often haunted by emotions and situations we have hid and buried in the dark. We are faced with our own weaknesses, and vulnerability, our own instability and doubt. We are tired now, and even those who jumped in swimming need somewhere to land and rest a bit. If there is one thing that is a common thread in our ministry, it’s accompaniment. We are big on #2x2. As we have explained it before, God sent the animals to the ark 2X2. God’s intention for us, on this giant planet floating in the sky, is to walk WITH each other. Whether it’s walking in joy together or walking in uncertainty, the key is, we do it TOGETHER. Digital 2x2 was inspired by the need to know we are not alone. No matter when your mind stirs up feelings for you, we want to offer a place for you to rest. Come as you are, all are truly welcome, we want to encourage you to cling to your rope during all of this but be reminded there are people at the other end. Many different age groups participated in this project, 8th graders, teens, young adults, adults, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They all gave their experience and reflections on many topics we are faced with right now. So, even at 3AM when you are wide awake, and the rest of the world is sleeping, you have access to perspective. Reflect and ponder from someone younger than you, or a peer, or maybe even someone who has lived through something like “this” before, and wants to remind you, you can too. I foresee this project catching like wildfire. While I had to re-adjust how we saw God, in each other, virtually, I think we are on to something. So bring your rope, and rest with us. We may not be able to “see clearly” right now. So we need to trust God will guide us where we are needed. Maybe that’s how you ended up here. So, take a breath, and lets do a little diving. We got this, we are strong, together. #2x2 |
Follow me on Instagram: kim_madonia
Find me on Facebook under Kim Madonia What Does Jesus Look Like to You? |
Members of the Youth & Young Adult Ministry program have felt the need to be there for one another in this weird time. This in mind, we asked different age groups what they were struggling with most during this time of uncertainty and challenged them to give insight, advice, and solace to the group behind them.
We hope this space can bring you comfort as it continues to grow.
Our first sections are written by members and supporters of our program from 8th Graders to grandparents
and we thank them all for their time, participation, and openness.
We hope this space can bring you comfort as it continues to grow.
Our first sections are written by members and supporters of our program from 8th Graders to grandparents
and we thank them all for their time, participation, and openness.
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Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: kim_madonia
Find me on Facebook under Kim Madonia at: Kim Madonia
Find me on Facebook under Kim Madonia at: Kim Madonia
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