Edina Hall

Fellow Journeyers,

When I get ready to head out to work in the morning, I have a mental check list of things that I need. A lunch. A pen, or two. My badge, phone, purse and car keys are all necessary to get to or do my job.

I know folks who have a physical checklist taped to their door so they won’t forget anything. My favorite back door reminder was from my husband’s aunt written on a yellow Post-it in perfect handwriting. It simply said: “Where are you going? What do you need?” 

But there was a more important question missing: “Who are you going to be?” 

In today’s readings, Paul gives us a working list in his letter to the Colossians.  

Be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Love. “Bear with each other” and be forgiving. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” and let his message sing with gratitude to God. “Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:12-17) 

In stressful or frustrating situations, I struggle mightily to be patient. There are times when I cannot bear others. Forgiving for me sometimes happens after processing with a few people, which can look like and, depending on the audience, turn to gossiping. I fall short of Paul’s list time and again, and it can be noticeable.

I will never forget the time many years ago I was awarded Employee of the Month, and a nominating comment from a co-worker was “deep down she has a good heart.” Deep down? Ouch.  

I’d like to think (and secretly hope) that I could quickly and easily “take off” my old self described above and “put on a new self” as Paul mentions earlier in the letter to the Colossians. To bring the “deep down good heart” out and put it on full display probably won’t be a big glorious overnight transformation, as much as I might like it to be. That kind of transformation takes time, intentionality and God’s help, but it is available and possible—for all of us.  

So, I will tuck extra patience alongside my extra pen, compassion with my phone, wear the badge of love and continue to ask:

Where am I going? 

What do I need? 

Who am I going to be? 

—Edina