Monsters

I recently heard the song “Monsters” by James Blunt. American Idol fans might be familiar with the song as the song sung by 2023 winner, Iam Tongi, two months following the death of his father. The song was originally written by Blunt in response to learning that his father has stage 4 kidney disease and will die without a kidney transplant. 

The lyrics of the song speak of old roles and labels in their familiar relationship falling away, as the circle of life moves forward, and of Blunt’s gentle reassurance to his father that he can rest easy, knowing that the son will now pick up the torch long-carried by his father. The refrain is poignant:  

                                                   
                                                    I'm not your son, you're not my father
                                                We're just two grown men saying goodbye
                                                     No need to forgive, no need to forget
                                                  I know your mistakes and you know mine
                                            And while you're sleeping I'll try to make you proud
                                                 So, daddy, won't you just close your eyes?
                                                            Don't be afraid, it's my turn
                                                           To chase the monsters away

There’s many reasons I have been drawn to the song, one of them being some recent reflection on life cycles and the gift that each generation gives another. In my own family, I’ve been acutely aware of the care that my parents took of the world, the land, their own parents, as well as the care that they have taken and continue to take of me and my siblings as their children, ever-evolving as all of us age. At the same time, I have proudly begun to step into the role of caretaker–mostly just stepping in to help on occasions when my parents could use a little extra–all the while understanding that those occasions will, as time goes on, become more frequent.

I also have a unique view of this from my vantage point in our church community. I’ve seen one generation carry this congregation through times of great triumph, and times of great despair. I’ve seen the ways this generation has chased the monsters of division, injustice, hate, and indifference away so that this beacon of hope that we call St. Paul Congregational UCC would shine through to the next generation. I’ve seen one generation of leaders begin to step back, as members of the next begin to step forward. I’ve seen one generation of talented musicians step back, as the next generation begins to share its gifts and graces in our midst. All of it is a kind of understanding, and a blessed assurance between the generations: “Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn to chase the monsters away.”

As someone on the younger end of the spectrum–someone acutely aware of the gifts and challenges of those who served this church as pastor before me–I’m very aware that each step I take with you, and each move we make together, is my blessed assurance to my predecessors that I, as the kids say, understood the assignment. It is my turn to chase the monsters away. It is my turn to help lead us into deeper relationships, into deeper engagement, into deeper love, justice, peacemaking, and service, and to chase away all that might frighten us or otherwise keep us from following the Way of Jesus.

The truth is, no matter your age, you have a role to play in this dance of life–we all do. This is just as true in the church as it is in the rest of the world. One generation cares for and nurtures the next, and then, occasionally at first, the next generation begins to step in to help as additional help is needed. As those occasions become more frequent, a beautiful changing of hands–like the passing of the baton between Olympic athletes–occurs, and a knowing look is exchanged that whispers that familiar reassurance once more:  “Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn to chase the monsters away.”

So, my friends, I ask you to consider how you might currently be demonstrating nurture or care to the generations that follow you? How are you currently demonstrating nurture and care to the generations that precede you? What do you feel is your turn to start doing in this community? Is that feeling coming from a place of impatience, or is it coming from a deep desire to begin to demonstrate the care and nurture that was demonstrated to you? What do you feel is your turn to stop doing in this community? Is that feeling coming from a place of resentment that “nobody wants to do anything anymore” and “I’ve served my time,” or is it coming from a deep desire to begin to pass the baton, and loving the community and desiring its continuation above all else? Who can you turn to today–right where you are, just as you are–and offer some beautiful, blessed assurance all your own? Who needs to hear from you:  “Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn to chase the monsters away?”

Chasing monsters away with you,
Pr. Melissa

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