COVID-19 Coping – The Vine

The Blessing

Laura Frederick — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 23:18:02 +0000

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I am so inspired by the virtual choirs around the world that are singing Kari Jobe’s and Cody Carnes’ (Elevation Worship) song, “The Blessing”. I first saw it from the UK.

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U

What if the whole world is rising up to sing this song together? What if our unity in Christ prevails? In this pandemic, what if we come to know the Church universal in new ways? I feel sparkling hope. I am praying this blessing for you this morning, for us all. Join me. To Christ be all glory.

Dr. Amanda Ragland, D.Min., LMFT.

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Almost Home

Laura Frederick — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 15:18:49 +0000

Music and particular songs can be significant in our lives. People often talk about music as the soundtrack of their lives offering comfort and calm. Recently I have been enjoying the song “Almost Home” by Mercy Me. They have had many hit songs but are probably best known for their mega-hit “I Can Only Imagine”. “Almost Home” reminds me that while we live in this world and in times of distress with Covid-19, civil unrest, political tension, our base and grounding is in something else altogether. As Paul said we are “in this world but not of it”. Mercy Me reminds me that I have a spiritual home that is very different that the one I currently see on the news. A home that offers a peace and grounding that is difficult to see with masks and social distancing. But even in the midst of it all, we are not that far from the home God offers—peace in the midst of turmoil.

Dr. Jack Ragland, D.Min., LMFT

COVID-19 and Emotional Health

Laura Frederick — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 15:58:42 +0000

https://vinepcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Vine-Covid-v1.mp4

How has the pandemic effected our collective emotional health, personal identity, and sense of meaning?

In this video, Dr. Amanda Ragland shares about navigating the unknowns and challenges that come with COVID-19 and the need to find grounding and meaning in changing times.

Grieving During COVID-19

amanda — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:54:18 +0000

Grief is the process of your brain trying to adapt to the loss of a resource that is missing. Sometimes we think of grief as the loss of something or someone from the past.

But grief can also go into the future. We can grieve what could have been.

As the way we do life right now has drastically shifted and still continues to change it can be helpful to acknowledge the grief of things that have been lost as well as things that could have happened but now won’t.

With so many changes our brains are working overtime to adjust. When we identify and acknowledge our losses, this begins the process of helping the mind to adapt and the soul to heal.

In grief, we know God sees each one of our tears “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8) And he promises to be with us in difficult places as Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Laura Frederick

Time Alone

amanda — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:47:56 +0000

It doesn’t mean you don’t love your family if you want time alone. The way we structure our time is a foundation of our existence that keeps us steady.

Grace and peace to you. In this time of social distancing as many of us are working from home, I am aware that at the same time that we are “social creatures” we are also “private creatures”. While we are living in this time together with family 24-7, remember that our routines of work allowed us a good bit of private-time that we may have taken for granted.

I would encourage you to make sure you have private spaces for each person in your home and make it o.k. to spend time there. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your family if you want time alone. The way we structure our time is a foundation of our existence that keeps us steady. We are also “creatures of habit”. Making new routines that include individual time can help keep you healthy.

And last, while things are happening that make us question our most basic activities and securities, remember that our LORD is a WAY-MAKER. He is an able REDEEMER. He is with us, and He knows what we need. Blessings to you and yours.

The Vine has telephone and video conference sessions available. There was a time when I would not have chosen this venue for therapy, but it is working amazingly well. You can call our office to find out more. 256-270-7399

Rev. Dr. Amanda W. Ragland, LMFT