Christian Union Church
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Unexpected words, Day 31
- Today I received a an unexpected piece of mail filled with the kindest words. It reminded me that even the smallest, most insignificant acts of kindness can fill the soul of another and add immeasurable light to one's day. May we offer our kindness freely. May we give encouragement extravagantly. May we love in simple words and actions.
Monday, May 29, 2017
What beauty is for, Day 30
The Swan
Mary Oliver
Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Blessing the mothers, Day 15
Who are our
first sanctuary.
first sanctuary.
Who fashion
a space of blessing
with their own being:
a space of blessing
with their own being:
with the belly
the bone and
the blood
the bone and
the blood
or,
if not with these,
then with the
durable heart
that offers itself
to break
and grow wide,
to gather itself
around another
as refuge,
as home.
if not with these,
then with the
durable heart
that offers itself
to break
and grow wide,
to gather itself
around another
as refuge,
as home.
Who lean into
the wonder and terror
of loving what
they can hold
but cannot contain.
the wonder and terror
of loving what
they can hold
but cannot contain.
Who remain
in some part of themselves
always awake,
a corner of consciousness
keeping perpetual vigil.
in some part of themselves
always awake,
a corner of consciousness
keeping perpetual vigil.
Who know
that the story
is what endures
is what binds us
is what runs deeper
even than blood
that the story
is what endures
is what binds us
is what runs deeper
even than blood
and so they spin them
in celebration
of what abides
and benediction
on what remains:
in celebration
of what abides
and benediction
on what remains:
a simple gladness
that latches onto us
and graces us
on our way.
that latches onto us
and graces us
on our way.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
With a little help from my friends, Day 14
Planning my ordination service has been more emotionally charged than I originally anticipated. There are quite a few reasons for this that I will not explain in the moment. I knew I truly needed to finish things up today and I sat down to do just that while Josiah napped. I looked at my computer screen for far too long working and thinking and envisioning. I would add a song and then take it away. I would re-read a scripture reading that I planned to use and feel uncertain. I simply could not get over the gnawing, uneasy feeling - something wasn't quite right, I just couldn't put my finger on what I was sensing. Finally I shot off a few texts to different friends. Within the next hour I had several conversations via text, email and phone - we seriously had it all covered. At the end of these conversations, everything had fallen into place. One friend/colleague identified the problem immediately. Once the problem was identified, it was much easier for all the other pieces to fall into place.
If I can offer one word today: reach out. No matter how self-sufficient you believe yourself to be, we need one another. We are not alone.
If I can offer one word today: reach out. No matter how self-sufficient you believe yourself to be, we need one another. We are not alone.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Grace in chocolate, Day 13
Today was the type of day that leaves you feeling unexpectedly tired by the time the sun has set. I didn't think we has anything sweet in the house until I came across an unexpected, dark chocolate caramel crunch bar. It had been tucked away on a much earlier day and was waiting for just such a night. A perfectly wonderful addition to a quiet Friday night.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Evening Walk, Day 12
The warmer spring nights beckon us to take walks around the neighborhood. Tonight we found ourselves winding around our neighborhood noticing flowers and trees and garden gnomes as we listened to the chatter of a 2.5 year old. We normally miss so many little pieces as we zoom by in our car. We returned home to see our bunny eating her dinner. Grace comes in simple pleasures.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Don't Worry, Day 11
We've been going to the library on Saturday mornings. Usually, we pick out books for Josiah. Last week, I brought home a book for myself. Felicity by Mary Oliver. The poem below if from her book.
Don't Worry
by: Mary Oliver
Things take the time they take. Don't
worry.
How many roads did St. Augustine follow
before he became St. Augustine?
Don't Worry
by: Mary Oliver
Things take the time they take. Don't
worry.
How many roads did St. Augustine follow
before he became St. Augustine?
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