Skip to main content

Keep breathing and abide

Although we often equate blessings with God’s benevolence, thinking they constitute a sign of God’s favor in the form of prosperity and abundance, they often work in ways quite contrary to such a notion. I have come to see with greater and greater clarity that a blessing is at its most potent in times of disaster, devastation, and loss. When God’s providence seems most difficult to find, a blessing helps us perceive the grace that threads through our lives.

 

A blessing does not explain away our loss or justify devastation. It does not make light of grief or provide a simple fix for the rending. It does not compel us to “move on.” Instead, a blessing meets us in the place of our deepest loss. In that place, it offers us a glimpse of wholeness and claims that wholeness here and now. A blessing helps us to keep breathing – to abide in this moment, and the next moment, and the one after that.

 

From The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief 

by Jan Richardson, Wanton Gospeller Press, 2020

 

 

How the Light Comes

 

I cannot tell you

how the light comes.

What I know

is that it is more ancient

than imagining.

 

That it travels

across an astounding expanse

to reach us.

 

That it loves

searching out

what is hidden,

what is lost,

what is forgotten

or in peril

or in pain. …







I cannot tell you

how the light comes,

but that it does.

 

That it will.

 

That it works its way

into the deepest dark

that enfolds you,

though it may seem

long ages in coming

or arrive in a shape

you did not foresee.

 

And so

may we this day

turn ourselves toward it.

 

May we lift our faces

to let it find us.

 

May we bend our bodies

to follow the arc it makes.

 

May we open

and open more

and open still

to the blessed light

that comes.

 

from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons

by Jan Richardson (2015)




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome peace in new Meditation Room

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. - Matthew 5:4 By Nancy Meisel Youngman Would you like a safe place to pause, reflect, grieve, meditate, pray?  A space has been created for that purpose.  Our Epworth nursery has been cleaned, recarpeted, and transformed into a meditation room. Although we may well have need for a nursery in the future, we are using this space as a quiet meditation room for now. We have also started a grief support library. The books are available to read or browse through while in this quiet space. There will be prayer request cards in the room if you choose to fill one out. Our hope is that this space will help you feel surrounded by God’s love and God’s peace which passes all understanding.

Epworth Devotional 2021

Responses to Hope in the Wilderness   This year’s devotional,  Hope in the Wilderness,  was put together with input from members of the congregation. Some submitted photos, pictures they drew, coloring pages, essays and poetry they or someone else wrote, and quotes. Then everyone was invited to join in conversations with friends and family or on Facebook.  Below are some of the responses received on Epworth Facebook pages. Responses were sparse and far apart timewise. Clearly we missed the fellowship of in-person Lenten Study.   February 19 I decided to color today’s Lenten Devotion. I was praying for people I’ve had the privilege to teach, coach, and train. I recognized the things I learned from those same folks. Who are you nourishing? Or what are you nourishing that will grow and bloom?   March 5 Today’s entry has me meditating on change, constancy, time, and perspective. What does this devotion raise in you? My earliest childhood memories include our garden roses and the song of th

Toy Library transitions to Weed & Water Wednesdays

By Nan Rice The Toy Library at Epworth is starting to be a place where we start the Epworth Garden. The families that came in the last week of March planted marigolds, sunflowers, and tomatoes to take home. Plants for the garden will go under the grow lights for the next two months and then outside.  In the meantime, we will continue the Toy Library until June 3. Look for notices to come out about Weed and Water Wednesdays which will start June 9. Will we be able to meet in the church yard with masks and distancing? We still need to figure out the details.