Take Care

“This is harder than I thought.”

Do you remember the egg drop science experiment in fifth grade?

Where the ultimate test is standing on a ladder and dropping a fresh raw egg onto the ground in hopes that it will not break.

Students are assigned to use all manner of creativity and supplies to fabricate parachutes and padding in an effort to prolong the fall of the little egg into a gentle landing.

Some work better than others. This is why there is a custodian with a mop joining the assembly of classmates and teachers.

Since I was a girl, I've known the devastating impact of what I call “informational bombs” … a sudden impact of dreadful news that seems to render everything unpredictable and fragile.

No real bombs ... just a perpetual egg drop.

If you are the one who must share potentiallyheartbreaking news, do everything you can to pace and pad your message so that it lands as gently as possible. Trust and try the tender care of God.

If you have seen enough eggs shatter upon the proverbial ground that you sense residual fear and anxiety wondering when the next informational bomb might drop, just breathe. You have the power to lay truth and reality like a puffy nap mat on the floor of your heart. God loves you. His grace can cushion the blow. Fear not.

But maybe the human pacing and padding have fallen short, or you feel misaligned with a foundation of divine comfort as you watch fragile parts of your life appear to be falling relentlessly into a shattered mess.

Pause. You are not alone. Close your eyes and scan the hallway of your world. I pray you have eyes to see your Custodian-Creator standing nearby with everything it will take to mop up this mess to begin again. I pray that you realize that others are facing fear and grief too. You can be brave to reach out, bold to say, "This is harder than I thought.”

That powerful truth can be a surprisingly comforting step into more freedom and peace.

God, give us eyes to [really] see people, and wisdom to realize every day could be an egg drop day for someone nearby. Give us grace to treat others with tenderness, and courage for when You hand us a mop and invite us into Your holy work of restoration.