Tools of the Trade

Something that I don't think we talk about enough are the tools that help us throughout our days. The things that shape us to be better people, better employees, better partners, better friends, better parents. We all know that attempts to be like the great and powerful Wizard of Oz fall short. At some point, the curtain will inevitably be pulled back to reveal our humanity. In church, we know to say things like prayer, quiet time, and Bible study strengthen us, but what about other sorts of support? God never intended us to go on this journey of life alone.

Like working in your yard or garden, sometimes the right collection of tools makes a task or problem all the easier. There have been many times that I have tried to trim the bushes around our house with the wrong tool and ended up either massacring our poor box woods with the big hedge trimmers, or making a much larger task by using hedge clippers. The right tool for the right situation makes all the difference.

I might be showing my age as a millenial, but I wanted to share two of the tools that have encouraged my soul beyond the expected pastoral answer. These might be familiar, or might be a brand new idea. Some of these tools might be things you would love to try, but others might be outside of your comfort zone. That's okay—they're just tools.

The first tool that has helped is a therapist. I know in some generations it is highly taboo to talk about having a therapist, because it implies that something is wrong, but that's not always the case. Throughout various seasons in my life, I have found therapy to be incredibly useful as a space to work through stress or frustration, fear or worries. I find that a good therapist helps me to be a much better parent, minister, and spouse! In some Christian circles, therapy is taboo, but know that your pastors at Highland Hills give it a ringing endorsement.

Another tool that has been nourishing my soul these days is a spiritual director. These are people who are trained in how to hold space for holy prayer and help us understand how God is showing up in our lives. As someone whose schedule often feels a little hectic, my spiritual director helps me listen and find how God is showing up in my own life. At times, we all could use encouragement to help us listen better to the movements of God, and a spiritual director is a great way to do so.

These are just two of the tools I use on a regular basis, and people that I give thanks to God for—because they bring the peace of God into my life. What brings the peace of God into your life? What tools help you accomplish the tasks of life and fill your soul?