By ~ kaka Lucas, 13th April

Things are loosening out now. No curfews and no strict protocols to be observed every day. But if I can tell you the effects of covid19 still make me tired. 

For the last few months of this year, we have lost a lot of parish members. In addition, others have called in sick. It hasn’t been easy for many of us with because everything is gettingexpensive. The Ukraine and Russia war too have made many people worry. Ugggggrrrrrrrrr! Are you feeling to scream because I would join you now? It is draining, frustrating and yes…… it is tiring. 

Just to let you know as you read this blog …… there is nothing wrong by being tired. 

The question remains why are you tired? Is it mental, spiritual, emotional, or physical tired? As you pay attention don’t ignore the tension. 

“I AM TIRED” ……… is a word we all use knowingly and unknowingly in many ways and for many reasons. But last week when I used it while speaking to one of my Jamaican mothers,she shouted out to me, “I do not want to hear that word in my house, never again should you tell me you are tired …. You and Rugell love it. I am tired, I am tired, …… tired people dem dehinna di morgue and now dem a tek rest” She went on to say that when we use this word “I am tired” we are calling upon ourselves the spirit of ‘I cannot bother’ …… ‘I am not bothered’. Very bad spirit. You must learn to keep going no matter what, you must learn to keep your head erect and smile, kiss some a**es if you have to knowing time will come for you to kick the very same a**es away.

Examining all that has been happening for the past few weeks, the story of Elijah come across my mind. It’s a lovable story and a story you and i can relate. There comes a point when he wasexhausted, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, maybe mentally too. In fact, he was so tired that he thought of committing suicide. 

“I’ve had enough, Lord. Take my life” (Can you relate those words?). hahahaha … I am a victim of those very words, are you? 

I can see now your mind is going wild, ‘How can such a holy man/women of God get tired and want to take his life out of the picture, they want to ask the earth to open and swallow them?” Could that man/woman of God be you?

It is what it is, reality of things on the ground, when nothing seems to be happening from your end. Elijah is a clear example of an image of a great hero of faith, but also a honest picture of a man at the end of the rope of hope. (Kings, chapter 19)

This whining prophet is a reminder for you and me that we are never alone. There are many others like us who are also faithful to God and just like them; God has more work for us. 

It is time to settle down and hold on to your faith and rope of hope. Keep the fire burning in these tough times. Look around and see and what you see should remind you that God has not given up on you. So do not give up on yourself. 

St. Francis in his prayer he states,

“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; 

The courage to change the things I can; 

And the Wisdom to know the difference