Recently while on vacation, my daughter took a tumble off of her bike. From 50 feet in front of her, my viewpoint left me fearful that I would peel her off the bike trail with her bottom teeth sticking through her forehead. Miraculously, she escaped relatively unscathed! With just a couple scratched elbows, she planted herself firmly back on her bike following her fall, in order to successfully complete the final two miles of our six mile family bike ride. The resiliency of children continues to inspire and amaze me!
The schools with whom I am privileged to work are now back in session; my kids return next week. Summer is over, Covid continues, and together we persevere. I pray for all who are suffering.
I recently read this poem by Mary Oliver that reminded me of the benefit of placing ourselves within the context of God’s greater creation.
Wild Geese- Mary Oliver
| You do not have to be good. |
| You do not have to walk on your knees |
| for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. |
| You only have to let the soft animal of your body |
| love what it loves. |
| Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. |
| Meanwhile the world goes on. |
| Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain |
| are moving across the landscapes, |
| over the prairies and the deep trees, |
| the mountains and the rivers. |
| Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, |
| are heading home again. |
| Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, |
| the world offers itself to your imagination, |
| calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting – |
| over and over announcing your place |
| in the family of things. |
And this morning I read today’s Scripture and recalled the strength of the Hebrew people as they persevered toward their own liberation. I have hope.
Psalms 85(84),9.11-12.13-14
| I will hear what God proclaims; |
| the LORD–for God proclaims peace. |
| To God’s people, and to God’s faithful ones, |
| and to those who put in God their hope. |
| Kindness and truth shall meet; |
| justice and peace shall kiss. |
| Truth shall spring out of the earth, |
| and justice shall look down from heaven. |
| The LORD will give God’s benefits; |
| our land shall yield its increase. |
| Justice shall walk before God, |
| and salvation, along the way of God’s steps. |
Blessings to you, and in a special way, to all educators and students, in hopes for their healthy and safe return to school. I pray that they build and sustain nurturing relationships of trust and support. May this new year ahead bring us growth, community and unity.
Keeping the Faith 