In Praise of Emily Esfahani Smith at Trinity

What a blessing it was to welcome acclaimed author Emily Esfahani Smith to our pulpit this past Sunday. Below is a reflection by Rev. Heidi Thorsen:

Lent is traditionally a time of taking on spiritual practices: adding a practice of silent meditation to your ritual, or abstaining from things we usually take for granted (food items, such as chocolate or meat, being a common choice for us modern Christians). But how do you embrace contemplation when you have a toddler running around at your heels and throwing a tantrum because you didn’t hold her plastic cow the right way? How do you abstain from food when you’re just trying to get your toddler to eat anything?

Emily Esfahani Smith’s guest sermon at Trinity asks questions like these. She reflects on Lent not only as a bestselling author for her book, the Power of Meaning, but also as a mother of a toddler and baby. She affirms that an attitude of contemplation is possible in the everyday bustle, without having to drop all your responsibilities and become a solitary monk for these 40 days.

Are you exhausted just going from one day to another, and wondering how you could ever fit a prayer, wonder, and spirituality into your busy life? I encourage you to watch Emily’s sermon (for the first time, or on repeat!). Listen while you drive to work, or while you do the dishes - and imagine how God can visit you in the ordinary places this Lent.