Recently I was diagnosed with DeQuervain's tendonitis.  What?  It is pain and swelling in the base of the thumb and the wrist caused by overuse or strain.  Although recently diagnosed, it began just eight weeks after my son was born and has gotten intense numerous times since then.  Turns out, it's fairly common in new parents.  (My hand therapist's husband got it with their infant.)
            Initially, my doctor had me take Ibuprofen to reduce the swelling in the tendons and wrist, use heat and wear a wrist brace.  I didn't do the wrist brace part very well as it is very difficult to care for a baby or work effectively with immobilized wrists.  Months went by and the pain continued, especially when Gabe would be sick and need more holding and soothing.  The most recent flare-up was when he was sick in late July while we were traveling in Indianapolis.
            Now my therapist has me using more flexible braces, doing repeated hand/wrist stretches throughout the day to loosen and strengthen them and has wrapped my wrist and forearm in a supportive tape.
            So that's how my wrists are, or should I say, that's how my wrist training is.   ...   I think our spirituality, in particular, our prayer life is similar.
            So often when things are going well, we tend not to pray often or with much sincere depth.  We go about our lives grateful and praying here and there at times.  When a crisis hits, a significant stressor in our life, heart-wrenching prayer is often accompanied.  We cry out to God for answers, for help, for comfort and guidance.  Our words give light to the pain and anguish inside of us.
            When that crisis or major life event happens, how prepared, how fit, are we in our spiritual life?  Do we know how to cry out in prayer?  Do we know how or where to turn to welcome in the presence of God?  Do we know how to find sanctuary in our busy minds, bodies and souls to rest in God? 
            For those that pray regularly and feed their spirit by often spending moments with the sacred, facing and walking through challenges and crisis comes more easily.  Like an athlete, they are spiritually trained and ready for heavy stresses.  But for many that dabble with prayer maybe in church at times or here and there but aren't familiar with regular spiritual practices such as praying with scripture, taking part in a spiritual small group, meditative or contemplative prayer, spiritual journaling, etc. make a great leap when crisis occurs.
            Like my wrists and thumbs, we may end up needing time to recuperate in the midst of the crisis and take time to reduce the extra inflammation in our lives, to wear some immobilizing protection and to start gently stretching and strengthening ourselves in our spirituality.
            How is your Spiritual training?  How is your Spiritual training in your personal life?  How is your Spiritual training as part of our congregational life?  As we are in the midst of transition and life changes, are you beginning to experience pain and inflammation?
            If so, start spiritually training.  Pray daily.  Take 10 minute breaks in your day to observe and wonder about the sacred in your presence.  Use art, writing, music, thought, nature ... whatever is a comfortable outlet for you ... to spend time with God.  May we together find relief from the strain, build our strength and find greater flexibility in the sacred lives we lead.
 
Blessings,
Nina