Hygiene for heart and soul

During a recent dental appointment, while my mouth was hanging open and water was shooting at my teeth, it occurred to me that the word hygiene is widely applicable. It is defined as “conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness.” Once, I went to meet a new therapist whose offices were in a part of the clinic entitled 'Mental Hygiene'.  I wondered if they were playing around with mental instead of dental, but no, hygiene isn’t just about teeth.

I’ve been thinking about my own propensity toward disease lately. Some relationships in my life don’t feel as healthy as I’d like. Some of my habits are not great.  Time to look inward. Do you feel the same?

The word hygiene comes from a French word, which came from a Latin word that came from a Greek word that mean healthy, sound, or wholesome. It is an intentional practice of things that support our health. 
Spiritual hygiene matters too! When we neglect our spiritual lives and our relationship with God, we are harmed. Diseased spirituality can be damaging.  It might cause us to think that God has it out for us when bad things happen. It might cause us to expect God to fulfill a bargain or demand. There are plenty of examples of abuse and exploitation done in God’s name and within spiritual communities because of spiritual disease.


  So how do we practice spiritual hygiene?  As individuals, these exercises keep our spiritual life healthy:

• Expressing gratitude
• Doing acts of service
• Praying, meditating, centering on the Divine
• Worshipping in community
• Being in nature with mindfulness
• Reading sacred texts
• Cultivating creativity & playfulness
• 
  

As a community, these exercises do the same:

• Gathering regularly for fellowship
• Electing leaders who guide with integrity by faith
• Worshipping together
• Praying together
• Following our baptismal covenant, by laws and community guidelines
• Pooling money and time to support our common life
• Giving others the benefit of the doubt when we disagree
• Practicing clear and consistent communication
• Seeking clarification when we don’t understand
• 
  

So how are you doing with your spiritual hygiene? How are we doing in our faith community?
The great news is that spiritual hygiene brings mental hygiene, and maybe even dental hygiene! But maybe that’s a bridge too far. (Get it?? I’m rooting for you!)
All this to say, be well my friend. And may we together, be well.

​--- Pastor Rebecca