A Blessing

The song of creation restore you.
The song of justice infuse you.
The song of peace sustain you.
The song of joy energize you.
Amen.

Words that Insult…

God,
Is it possible for you to remove words from our English language? If so, I have a few requests beginning with the word “articulate.” Amen.

Bless…

Bless the hands that reach out in love.
Bless the feet that run with determination.
Bless the hearts that carry heavy burdens.
Bless the spirits that are full of determination.

That Kind of Day

It’s that kind of day, O God,
when your kid tells you
that she didn’t eat breakfast
after milling around the house for 20 minutes.

It’s that kind of day, O God,
when you give way your last dollar
and you are met at the car window
by another face in need.

It’s that kind of day, O God,
when meetings run late
and time is sucked up like a
giant vacuum into nothingness.

It’s that kind of day, O God,
when two rats scurry in front of you
during a morning walk with the dog.

It’s that kind of day, O God.
Amen.

Be Near

Be near, O God, to those who rejoice, who mourn, who seek healing, who are broken-hearted, who are in unsafe places and situations, who seek justice. Be near, O God, to those…. Amen.

Help Me

Lord,
Help me not kill the kids
when they drop crumbs on the kitchen floor
that I just mopped.
Amen.

Two Chairs

Two chairs seated in a room
nothing between them but space
breathing space
space to be
space to listen
space to speak
space to share
May those who sit in these chairs take advantage of what these chairs offer

That Look

God,
We sit here stunned by the news…
and you just give us THAT LOOK.

We sit with our hands folded and our heads bowed…
and you just give us THAT LOOK.

We ask, “Why, O God?”
and you just give us THAT LOOK.

THAT LOOK.
THAT LOOK.
THAT LOOK.

We know THAT LOOK.
We know we should do better.
We know we could do better.
we know we are better.

But we here we sit
still looking at the news
getting THAT LOOK.

Amen.

Psalm 4 (A Jenn Paraphrase)

Psalm 4

UGH…..Just answer me, God!
Get me out of this mess.
I need your help.
I am up a creek without a paddle.

Why do you always do this to me? 
Why do you choose the crap?

Remember, God wraps God’s arms around those who rely on God.
God answers those who scream to God.

Just stop.  Go get a grip. Go take a time out and pull yourself together.

And then be ready to bring your whole self to God.

Storm Clouds

Storm clouds,
Powerful winds,
Heavy rains,
Raging waters,
Hundreds displaced,
Homes demolished,
Livelihoods destroyed,
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Amen.