February 2021 – Page 2

PCS Season

In the United States Foreign Service, the acronym “PCS” refers to a “permanent change of station.” Most often, this means moving from one country to another for a new posting.

At most posts, summer is “PCS season,” since this is when the majority of moves are scheduled.

So, over the summer months, 25% of the households in a community can turn over. And given that the Foreign Service attracts folks of wide life experience, “PCS season” is a chance to meet a lot of new people often. All I need to do is to show up and learn from the people that the season shuffles into my life.

Wondering what to do about division in our country? How about declaring your own “PCS season?” You don’t have to move countries – just put yourself in the path of new people, committing to create expansive relationships. (This will likely make your Relationship-Garden Audit more interesting.)

Restaurant or Kitchen?

Is our relationship with the church more like that of a restaurant or a kitchen?

Is it a place where we wait to receive something that another prepares, and then evaluate the offering?

Or is it a place where we are part of a creative team with a mission? A place where we hone productive habits and generously share our gifts?

Memento Infantia

Memento mori, latin for “remember your death,” is a powerful spiritual practice. When we recall that we are finite and that life is unpredictable, we can live with singular purpose and focus on the most important things.

Relatedly, I wonder what happens when we stop to memento infantia, “remember your infancy?”

For me, memento infantia is an occasion to imagine great love. Though I have no actual “memory” of it, I am certain that my infancy was marked by singularly loving care on my behalf. Daily, hourly, thoughtful, (sure, imperfect, but nevertheless) faithful love.

If love is the root of all faithfulness, of all trust, we do well to remember our infancy.