As I was hiking through the woods recently, I noticed something that caught my attention. There was still visible evidence of a fire. The ground, trees, and undergrowth showed signs of having been burned. I was told that a controlled burn had taken place in the area. A controlled burn is an intentional practice used by forest rangers to clear away dead trees, dry leaves, and excess undergrowth. While it may look destructive at first, it serves an important purpose. Removing accumulated debris allows new growth to take root, restores balance to the forest, and helps reduce the risk of a more destructive wildfire spreading through the area. As I continued walking, I began thinking about how much this resembles our own life transitions. Sometimes, making room for new growth means allowing something to be cleared away. Throughout our lives, we accumulate things along the way. Some are good and life-giving, while others may have served a purpose in a previous season but are no longer ...
SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Making space for the stories people have. Over the past month, I have continued providing online debrief care for ministry workers and families in different parts of the world. Some individuals and couples began and completed their debriefing process this month, while others are still in the process of working through their experiences. Each person's story is unique, and the time needed to reflect, process, and make sense of those experiences varies. Through these online conversations, I am reminded that even across geographical distances, we can create a safe space for people to share openly, explore their emotions, and give voice to the hard things they may have been carrying. One of the meaningful aspects of debriefing is helping people recognize the many layers surrounding an experience or loss. Sometimes, we carry the weight of a situation without fully realizing how much is connected to it—the relationsh...