Dear Simone

Dear Simone:

It’s taken me a minute to write you, but you’ve always been the G.OA.T. .. and long before the Tokyo Olympics. It’s not just because of the 4 Olympic Gold medals and 19 world championship medals. It’s not just because you have moves that defy gravity and are even named after you. It’s not just because of the sacrifices and work that you have poured into your craft. It’s so much more … you have inspired, fought for and been a leader to your teammates. You’ve dealt with blatant racism. With all of that, you’re the GOAT because of the gold medal decision you made … you chose to take care of your self, recognizing your mental health is of immeasurable wealth.

My heart ached and was angered at the comments you received. People told you that you needed to tough it out, you were selfish and didn’t care about your teammates or country. You should just go ahead and play through the pain and push through the trauma. But it made me think of how many times we pushed through and toughed it out, when maybe there were moments where we should have just sat down and took time to rest. You reminded us that we need to treasure ourselves. It is not selfish to pour into ourselves before pouring into others. We can’t pour from empty vessels. Jesus recognized and took the time to rest.

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31

If even Jesus knew the importance of taking to time to step back and rest, why are you (we) criticized for doing the same. Make it make sense ….. I”ll wait.

Simone, you are still the GOAT because you chose to listen to your spirit and your body and mind. So many of us are walking around wearing exhaustion as if it is a medal or badge of honor. It does not serve us and it is too heavy to wear. Simone , you are the GOAT because you chose not to wear it. It took me a while to write this letter because your action made me reflect on my own life ….. especially as a Black woman.

Simone you reminded us that self care is essential. You reminded us that self care and rest is sacred and necessary. You reminded us that other people’s opinions of us does not have to be our reality. You reminded us about keeping boundaries that are protection for ourselves as well as others. You reminded us that thinking of ourselves is not selfish, it is essential. You reminded us that it is not selfish to pour into ourselves before pouring into others. We shouldn’t be pouring from empty vessels. You reminded us to take off the perfectionist medal, that doesn’t make space for imperfections and natural flaws. You reminded us that we do not have to have it together 24 hours a day and that was never the case. You reminded us to release ourselves from unrealistic expectations (Whether our own expectations or others) You reminded us that No is a complete sentence and doesn’t need an explanation, whether others understand or not.

You reminded me to treasure the things and people that bring me joy. You reminded me of the gold standard of taking time to have lunch with a friend and having my spirit, body and soul fed. You reminded me of the importance and appreciation of my therapist and Spiritual Director. Yes you can love Jesus and go to therapy. You reminded us of the importance of listening to our inner voice. You reminded us ….. that sometimes taking care of ourselves means stepping aside so that we can step into our best selves.

Simone, you shared that the love and support you received made you realize that you were more than your accomplishments and gymnastics and that you didn’t believe that before. Simone, you are not the only one. We saw a piece of ourselves in you. We need to be reminded that our worth is not tied to our level of exhaustion, overworking and sacrifice. We are worthy simply because we are. You reminded me the importance of just taking time to be.

Simone, I realized that it took me time to write this letter because I am also writing this letter to so many others, including myself. You are loved and your actions reminded us about the important of having a supportive and loving community …. and to ignore the comments. You are still the G.O.A.T. and choosing to care for your physical, mental and spiritual health is a gold medal decision.

Peace, Sheila

The Healing

“There was a man who was paralyzed, and some other men were carrying him on a mat. They tried to bring him and put him down before Jesus. But there were so many people that they could not find a way to Jesus. So, they went up on the roof and lowered the crippled man down through a hole in the ceiling. They lowered the mat into the room so that the crippled man was lying before Jesus. Jesus saw how much faith they had and said to the sick man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:18-20

Jesus saw and rewarded the tenacity of these friends. The man was paralyzed and could not move on his own. They tore down the roof and carried him into the presence of Jesus. These friends were going to do whatever they had to do for their friend. There are two important healings that take place. They tore through a roof and all those layers. It did not matter if was a messy process, they got it done. The man can walk out of the space, but for me the deeper blessing and miracle is in the healing balm and power of friendship. Jesus was touched by their faith, complete trust, and confidence in Him.

I am grateful for the healing presence and tenacity of friends. There are moments when I may be paralyzed and numb with frustration, exhaustion, or grief. In these times, I cannot move or pray on my own. They tear through all my layers. It does not matter if it is a messy process. I am grateful for my sisters who spiritually lift me up in prayer and carry me into the presence of Jesus. I am grateful for friends who put legs on their prayers with actions that move in the direction of what they prayed for me. It comes in the form of presence(virtual and physical), intentional listenting and providing a safe space for vulnerability and authenticity. It comes in the form of honest conversations.

Amid our remote world that prevents us from physically being with each other – it does not prevent my sisters and I from spiritually lifting and carrying one another. In fact, this season has made me more appreciativ.

Perhaps one of the miracles is even acknowledging that we need help and each other.

Perhaps one of the miracles is even acknowledging that we need help and each other. The miracle and release of being able to share when we are not okay. One of the most precious gifts that we can receive and send is the healing power of having and being a praying friend.

Today I invite you to spiritually lift your sister-friends in prayer and into the presence of Jesus. Take a moment this week to send, text, write or call a Sister who has spiritually lifted you up in prayer and carried you into the presence of Jesus. Christ will be touched by your faith, complete trust, and confidence.

Grateful to carry and to be carried by my Sisters,

Rev. Sheila P Spencer

Prayer Legs

Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind,

They took the time and prayed for me.

I’m so glad they prayed , I’m so glad they prayed for me.

“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?” James 2: 14

“You’ve been in my spirit all week and I’ve been praying for you. But this morning, I said … I’m going to reach beyond the prayer and call you.” This was my friend’s message to me early Friday morning. Her spirit’s intuition was laser sharp and the hour-long conversation that followed was exactly what both of us needed. We prayed over a specific situation and less than five minutes later, the resolution came. Her initial prayers covered me but her taking the step to follow up and directly reach out to me connected me.

The encounter reminded me of the quote from one of my prophets and sheros, Civil rights advocate and justice warrior Fannie Lou Hamer. – ‘You can pray until you faint, but unless you get and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap” The sages taught me that after we pray, we need to put legs on it by stepping out in the direction of what we prayed for. Prayers fortify us to take the actions that we are called to do.

During our conversation, my friend shared that she was reminded that prayer is not a substitute for following through on what was shared during the prayer.“For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” James 2:15-17

This scripture confirms that prayers need legs. After praying, we need to walk in the direction of what we prayed about. There was a man who was a parapeligic and his friends cared and prayed for him. But these friends did something more and put legs on their prayers. They heard that Jesus was nearby and they carried him there. The place was packed and the entrance was jammed, they put legs on their prayers. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus eventually healed him and he walked out on his own. I believe Jesus was impressed by those who knew the connection between prayer – God talk and God action.

We live in a world that is waiting for us to follow through on what we prayed for. Prayers fortify us to take the actions that we are called to do. Put legs on those prayers and walk in the direction of the words of our prayers.

My dear friend prayed for me, had me on her mind,

She took the time and prayed for me.

I’m so glad she prayed and put legs on the prayers and reached out to me.

Praying first and walking it out,

Rev. Sheila P. Spencer