November 2020 – Last month, Travis and I had the opportunity to “unplug from technology” for several days by staying at my family’s little cabin in the woods in northern California. The cabin is modern enough to provide the comforts of electricity and hot water (thankfully!), but rustic enough that there is neither TV nor internet and, in order to make a cell phone call or send and receive email messages, one must walk about a quarter of a mile down the road and hope that it is not too windy or too cloudy. 

Something we did this past trip that I have never done during my whole time going to our cabin (almost 45 years!) was to sit still on my favorite log in the meadow behind our cabin long enough to watch the sunset behind the mountains. It was so fun that we did this not just once but on several occasions! In the past, I had been accustomed to going out to the meadow, but only for a few moments; I would briefly pause and enjoy the amazing beauty that surrounded me, quickly reflecting on the changes that had taken place in my life over the previous year, before hurrying back to the cabin so that I could get in a quick game of horseshoes or a few swings at the whiffle ball before it got too dark and/or I had to go inside to help with the next meal. 

The result of pausing? The opportunity to hear a silence that is loud with life! 

So often, when we think of or hear the word “silence,” we imagine “a lack of sound or noise,” which is natural, since that is the technical definition of “silence.” However, in being silent (not speaking or moving), Travis and I found that the “noise and constant chatter” in our minds were quieted long enough for our other senses to be awakened. In the silence of the meadow, we: 

● Heard the autumn trees gently “clapping their hands” in the late afternoon breeze as the frogs croaked.

● Saw cobwebs drifting across the sky, insects dancing, birds soaring, and the shadow of the mountain gradually bringing about nighttime rest from the fullness of the day’s activities.

● Felt the temperature drop drastically and suddenly, reminiscent of what it was like experiencing the full solar eclipse several years ago. 

● Experienced the subtle changes in the scent of the meadow as the fragrance of the dry grasses baking in the afternoon sun transitioned to a sweet earthiness that rose from the soil as twilight set in. 

Silence can sometimes lead us to a sense of emptiness and loss because we are so used to being surrounded by noise (both internal and external). Yet, the silence we experienced was far from feeling empty. Rather, in the silence, we were spiritually refreshed and physically rejuvenated as we sat surrounded by the company of God’s creation. Right now, there are many who are experiencing a great sense of “loneliness,” while others are longing for some “alone” time, especially for those whose residences are serving as home + office + school + gym + church + entertainment venue + other. 

Whatever your situation, we want to encourage you to pause for some silence and perhaps reflect on the following questions: 

● For those who find silence uncomfortable: take some time to observe the richness that can come from silence. What new things do you see, smell, taste, feel, etc.? 

● For those who yearn for some silence: consider creating intentional times and spaces for silence. If you are in a crowded home, this may take some negotiation and creativity, but it is well worth the effort! 

Peace, 

Karen and Travis Webster
HSHC Co-founders

September 2020 – As with many of you, this past summer continued, for me, to be nothing at all like what I had expected or envisioned at the beginning of 2020… trips and plans were canceled and interactions with others were restricted to online gatherings. While I am thankful for the virtual option, it does not, and nor should it, compare with enjoying in-person community with others! 

One of my biggest disappointments involved the 124th annual Boston Marathon, which I was supposed to have run on April 14, 2020. I found out that I had qualified for the race in September 2019 (by only 13 seconds!) and started to train in earnest at the beginning of January 2020. By mid-March, I was well on track to hit the personal goals I had set for myself. At that point, the reality of COVID caused the world to come to a screeching halt, and all of my “hard work” quickly came to an end. 

Yes, the Boston Marathon was quickly rescheduled for September 14th , meaning that, in theory, I would restart my training at the beginning of June. However, by mid-spring, I knew in my heart that this was not going to happen. I was not going to be able to run in one of the world’s premier races, and who knew if I would ever be able to qualify again? Yes, I was aware that not being able to participate in the Boston Marathon was quite minor in comparison to the number of people who were dying (and would die), as well as the devastating impact COVID was having, and would continue to have, on the world (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and more). Thus, when the September 14th inperson race date was officially cancelled at the end of May 2020 and replaced by a “virtual” race, I thought I was fairly at peace with what had happened. “Really, it is no big deal; it’s just a race,” I told myself and others. 

And yet, the moment the registration for the “virtual” race became an option, I quickly signed up because, truth be told, I discovered that my pride was at stake! If I ran the 26.2 miles (anywhere I wanted) between September 5-14, 2020, I would complete something to which I had committed. Plus, I would receive the t-shirt and racing bib I would have received if I had completed the “real” race back in April. Yes, it is amazing what one will do for a tshirt. What is even more amazing is the lesson I learned from God in the process! 

Now, one might think that training for a “virtual” race would be easier than training for a “real” in-person race, because the pressure of racing against others would no longer be a factor. I just needed to complete the race. However, what I discovered several weeks into training for the virtual race is that, when I thought that I didn’t have the accountability to anybody or anything, not only did my training suffer, but this attitude generally impacted other aspects of my life. For example, cutting corners by running fewer miles, getting less sleep, or not stretching as much was mirrored in putting off calling a friend, not cleaning the house as thoroughly, or neglecting to weed the garden. I found that the sense of hopelessness and anger COVID had instilled in my training was like a fog, seeping into every other aspect of my life. 

About a month ago, on the day I set out to do my longest training run for the race, I left the house mad… mad because the weather was miserably hot and humid (after all, it was August in Georgia!), mad when I ran by others because they had no idea how far I had to run or why I was putting myself through all of this, mad at myself for being mad…until I passed by another runner who simply smiled and said, “You’ve got this!” 

At that very moment, my attitude noticeably changed, from one of anger and frustration to a sense of calming peace. In fact, I found God’s small, quiet voice saying to me, “Karen, you know that what you do matters to you, to others, and to me. Even when you think no one is watching, you know that I am with you.” That led me to think about what kind of steward I was being, with my body, soul, time, attitude, money, and more, during this continued period of disruption, a time when we yearn for just an inkling of normalcy in our lives. By the time I got back from my 20-mile run, I was physically exhausted, but emotionally and spiritually renewed. September starts the beginning of the new school year (in whatever form that is taking in your area!). Even though I have been out of school for a while, I find this season still brings with it a sense of expectation and beginning, and invites me to take stock and reflect. 

In that spirit, I want to challenge us all to consider: 

• What are some things we are currently doing “in secret” that are not glorifying to God, neighbor, or self? 

• What are some ways that we can love God more fully, neighbor more fully, and self more fully – not only bringing honor and glory to God and without drawing attention to ourselves, but also instilling greater joy and peace in our own lives? 

As my fellow runner told me on that hot August day, “You’ve got this!” Indeed, especially in the face of ongoing challenges, let’s take these words to heart. You’ve got this. I’ve got this. By God’s grace, together, we’ve all got this. 

Peace,
Karen Webster

“I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.”

Jeremiah 17:10

Trail Notes – June 2020

June, 2020 – I clearly remember the day when I interviewed for the Th.D. in pastoral counseling program at Columbia Theological Seminary. This was something I very much wanted, and I was quite nervous! During the interview, I had the opportunity to speak with many of the professors with whom I was hoping to study.

I distinctly remember one part of that interview in particular. I was describing the work of Healthy Seminarians-Healthy Church, and how that informed my academic interests. One of the professors, thinking about what I had said, asked, “How does that work apply to black bodies?”

That was a good and insightful question, and one we still wrestle with, especially given recent events – the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many more – that prove yet again how our culture, our church, this organization, and I, as a human being, struggle with the value of black lives and black bodies.

The Bible repeatedly offers a vision of constructive unity in a blessedly diverse world. But, like so many aspects of the divine kingdom, it is one that we are far from living into fully. In the meantime, people keep dying, and living in fear, and suffering in ways both large and small.
Intentionally or unintentionally, I am part of the system that makes this happen. The “intentionally” aspect of this is bad enough, but it is the“unintentionally” part that especially scares me and makes me realize just how much work I have to do around this manifestation of sin in my own life. Wendy Farley, professor of spirituality at University of Redlands, writes:

“Sin damages human beings and their communities by diminishing their capacity to perceive injustice, to experience compassion, and to perceive right from wrong. People participate in the process through which they are dehumanized by evil, acquiescing to it, accepting it…

This is the characteristic way sin functions: it corrupts the environment in which human beings must act and deceives them about their real situation… (it) so deeply infects a community that every action is tainted and corrupt… (it) becomes a kind of bondage that entangles human beings and communities even before they choose or desire evil.”

How blind am I? How often do I choose evil without realizing it? What kinds of evil do I tolerate, accept, even sanction? Too much, too often, too many.

The good that comes from this, I hope, is lasting structural change, and that lasting structural change starts with difficult, and ongoing, self-examination, confession, (hopefully) forgiveness, and commitment to something both different and far healthier. The time for this came long ago. I pray for the courage, finally, to live into this call.

Peace,
Travis Webster
HSHC Co-Founder

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

April 2020 – When I (Travis) was growing up, and we had discussed an unpleasant subject for too long, my mother would redirect the conversation by saying, “Let’s talk about butterflies.” I don’t know about you, but I have consumed plenty of information about the coronavirus and the profoundly negative impact it is having on the world around us. Not to hide from reality, but I need a break! Perhaps it is time to talk about butterflies.

This spring has been absolutely stunning in Georgia. The blooming trees and flowers have been beautiful. The weather has generally been wonderful. While spending time in our garden last week, one of our hummingbird friends let us know it was time to set out our feeder for the season. Moreover, since we let our springtime backyard grow until the daisies go to seed, we also noticed that some of our favorite butterflies had returned.

Seeing the butterflies last week was very fitting, especially given that it was the first week of the Easter season. Butterflies symbolize:

Abrupt change: prior to mid-March, most of us were carrying on in our routines (the equivalent of a caterpillar just munching on its leaves), when everything suddenly came to a screeching halt. Now, people all across the world have been asked to embrace these changes – physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, environmentally, etc. – while we shelter in place (forced to spend time in our cocoons, wondering what we and the world will look like when we are finally able to emerge).
Mystery: our expectations of how life is supposed to be have been completely altered, and we don’t know how God is going to use this situation (just like the mystery of how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly).
Transformation: we recognize that neither we, as people, nor the creation are the same as we were a month ago, and we will not be the same in the months to come. Seeing the butterflies reminds us of how something so magnificent comes from an ordinary caterpillar. As Christians, as Easter people, we trust that the God who brought resurrection from crucifixion can also work miracles in and through our current situation.

Christ is Risen! This fact offers us new life and new hope in the midst of our uncertain present and into the future.

Peace,
Karen and Travis Webster
HSHC Co-Founder

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash