Newsletter Thoughts November 15, 2025

Dear Friends,

Happy rainy Saturday!

A friend and I are taking an Urban Landscape Painting class at the Santa Paula Art Museum. This is a six-week in-person class, the meets on Saturdays. 

During class, the instructor will announce that it is break time, which means it’s time to step away from my project. Why take a break? The obvious reason is that small breaks in whatever we are doing are helpful ways to give our minds a break. 

While painting it is helpful to step away from the painting long enough to really see what is happening. Stepping back is especially important when struggling. I can remember another teacher whose classes I take, picking up my painting and carrying it across the room, saying, “now look.” What looks bad, or incomplete often looks great when seen from another angle. Or, from another angle we can better see what needs to be done next.

These lessons, from painting, are helpful life lessons. Sometimes, in the midst of some difficult struggle, we benefit when we pause, step back, breathe, and observe. I think that some of my own biggest missteps relationally have been when I failed to do this. 

As I write this, I remember a difficult conversation that I had with a colleague. It was shortly after my mom died, and I didn’t realize how raw my emotions were. I said things that were not helpful. I harmed a relationship that was fragile. The painful reminder is that I could have stepped back, said “let’s talk later,” and gained perspective.

This painful lesson reminds me that breaks are critical to life. Stepping back when things get heated is healthy. Stepping back is not to be confused with stepping away. To completely leave is to cut-off any chance of a solution. 

None of this is easy. But it is beneficial and even beautiful when we can find consensus. I think that Jesus’ words to us about loving our neighbor are what can drive us to work on our relationships. I am also grateful for the grace that Jesus freely gives, especially when I realize that I have messed up. 

What about you? When have you benefited from stepping back from a situation? What did you learn about yourself? How can the free gift of grace help?

I’d love to hear from you. Meanwhile, off I go to week three of my paint class.

Peace,

Pastor Nancy