Purging

Last week was quite challenging for me as there was death in my extended and church families.  In addition,  with the emotions around Zimmerman case, I felt, as did many, the need to release.  I present, then, Purging.

Ever put a bottle of water in the freezer?  The ice in the bottle is a hard chunk, alternating the shape to match the new figure.  But it can only go so far - within the confines of the space.  The bottle itself will frost on the outside.  Once out of the freezer, as it slower warms up, the water has no place to go.  It either evaporates, sweats or has to be opened to pour out to make room for the water to come.

We are very much like this water bottle.  When a major event happens, we fill up on all the information.  We watch television, replay the moments over and over in our minds, and try to reason different outcomes.  Even if we start to walk through some of our sentiments, we cap ourselves, locking the majority of them in a cold, dark place, continuing our business as usual so that we can function.  But then, the day comes when it starts to thaw.

In times like these we have to purge, find some way to release.  It can be in prayer, in protest, in exercise, in reading,  in screaming or in writing, whatever is most comfortable.  The purge can be the anonymity of marching out in a crowd unified as one voice or pulling away for a quiet cathartic moment.  "Trust in God at all times, O people, pour out your heart before God; God is a refuge for us"  (Psalm 62:8).  Purging is an act of purification, a readying process, preparing us for the next phase.  Like ice cold water quenching the thirst on a summer's day, the release can bring an outlook of positivity and energy.

Consider for the rest of this week, taking the time to restore yourself by pouring out some of what is bottled up.  While it may be little by little, as drops or sips, each bit will go one step closer to renewing your spirit.

~ Amina S. McIntyre