tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152219962024-03-12T19:40:17.367-07:00Prayers4TodayWelcome to prayers4today, a place of silence, prayer, and solitude. If you would like your name or need added to my own daily prayers (not shared on this site!), email tshuman@cinci.rr.com I have two other blogs: www.occasionalsightings.blogspot.com (observations); www.lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com. These prayers may be used in worship settings or newsletters, with attribution please.Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.comBlogger480125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-76427433134533018782023-10-28T05:39:00.001-07:002023-10-28T05:39:18.377-07:00hallowthankmasthat time of year which always <br />seems to overwhelm us,<br />that season some call HallowThankMas. <br />we are already seeing the ads <br />and hearing the news about <br />how hard it may be to travel <br />and the need to buy tickets. <br />so, as we plan and hope and dream, <br />remind us, God of the lonely, <br />of all those around us who <br />will not be able to travel this year, <br />just as they have not been able <br />to afford to travel, or have anyone <br />to visit, for so many years. <br /><br />that time of year which always <br />seems to seduce us to spend <br />more on costumes and buy more <br />candy than we will ever give away <br />(or should eat) is here. <br />and we begin to make lists <br />of what we will get for our aunt, <br />the tools our brother might need, <br />how many toys and gifts <br />for each child or grandchild, <br />all the while mindful of the stories <br />of the most popular gifts<div>already being on backorder. <br />so, as we plan and hope and dream, <br />remind us, Jesus of the forgotten, <br />of all those around us (maybe <br />even friends, neighbors, family) <br />who hope they can afford, much <br />less find, a simple, single present <br />for each member of their family, <br />and wonder if they can put together <br />a costume for their child. <br /><br />that time of year which always <br />seems to sneak up on us, no matter <br />how early the sales, and ads, begin <br />has done it again, and we are <br />already stressed out with the <br />planning, the worrying, <br />the scheduling, the list making, <br />and soon, the delivery folks <br />will be dropping off more and more <br />stress on our porches and doors. <br />so, as we plan and hope and dream, <br />remind us, Spirit of pauses and silence, <br />that not everyone gives into the <br />buying and accumulating and worrying, <br />but find the simple pleasures <br />of a quiet afternoon with a close friend, <br />the silence of a long walk in the woods, <br />the gentle peace of staring at the stars, <br />and who are more than willing <br />to share these gifts with us. <br /><br />that time of year is upon us, <br />God in Community, Holy in One, <br />so, we pray we might find time <br />this year to discover the peace, <br />the hope, the silence, the grace <br />you offer to us in every moment. Amen.<div><br /></div><div>(c) Thom M. Shuman</div></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-71704911555869362142023-10-26T12:21:00.006-07:002023-10-26T13:37:42.635-07:00how easy<span style="font-family: arial;">we cry out for peace</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and offer our prayers<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">while continuing to mutter</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">angry words about others</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">under our breath, pausing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to stir the kettle of bitterness</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">brewing in our hearts,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">quietly planning the revenge</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we would wreak upon all</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">those we think of as evil.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we recoil in revulsion </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">at the images we see</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">displayed on our devices</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of rubbled buildings and</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">bullet-holed kibbutzes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of little children carried </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">lifeless from their homes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of hospitals reduced to morgues,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">while never having given</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a thought to the plight,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the fears, the nightmares</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of those on both sides </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">until these last few days.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">we like, love, share</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">social media postings, memes,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">pictures, diatribes posted</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">by people who know </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">no more than we do</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(about the history, the land</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">or the faiths or the politics,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the reality, the hopes, the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">solutions tried over and over,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the promises made and broken</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">then recycled once more)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">simply because they appeal</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">to our emotions, or the outrage</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of those who add fuel to our own.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Lord, in your mercy . . .</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-1401235965201830362023-10-13T18:53:00.002-07:002023-10-13T18:56:31.263-07:00peace? <span style="font-family: arial;"> as long as we think</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">all it takes is a handshake</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(while keeping the hidden</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">hand clenched in a fist).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as long as we believe</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">it can be accomplished</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">around tables rather than</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">sitting in an open circle</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">where we can see the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">vulnerability of one another.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as long as we are convinced</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">it is the repeated use</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of the same word over</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and over again, while ignoring</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">the broken promises of so long.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">as long as we trust </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">it to prayers and not the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">gritty efforts of listening,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">nor the grubby work </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of baring our souls,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">nor the gut wrenching reality</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">of admitting our evil,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">what chance does </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">peace</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ever have?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Venmo: @Thom-Shuman </span></div>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-31279040495180078992020-04-15T11:00:00.000-07:002020-04-15T11:00:15.734-07:00as close as (John 20:19-31)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in these moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">especially in these moments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we suddenly realize how</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">much we miss the human</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">touch (yes, even us introverts), so</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you invite us to reach out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and touch </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">your wholeness offered</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for our brokenness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">your healing given</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for our hopelessness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">your love poured out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for our loneliness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when we put on masks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and need to stand </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as far away as we can</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">from one another, you</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">come and breath </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">peace on us, so we</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">might find serenity in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all the confusion, so we</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">might find comfort in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the midst of all the uncertainty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman</span><br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-40414742334280225442020-03-20T09:13:00.001-07:002020-03-20T09:13:32.013-07:00canticle 23 for these times<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is the health care folk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all around us:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">encouraging us to stay home;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reminding us to wash our hands</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so we can help others be safe;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">teaching us how to be mindful</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and watch over ourselves and others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even as we shelter in place,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we will not give in to fear,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for God is with us,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in those who call us and care for us,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in those who shop for us,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and those who treat us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around a lonely table,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a houseful of family,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a hospital with strangers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God feeds us with grace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pouring out hope upon us,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">filling us with peace in sleepless night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i know, without any doubt,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that God's gentleness and compassion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are walking right beside us,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">showing us the way home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to the One who holds us </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in Love's Heart forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-72848095118261856332020-03-12T11:10:00.002-07:002020-03-12T11:10:53.302-07:00canticle 95<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">gospel, country, hip hop,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">rock and roll, r & b, classical:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">let every genre raise a song<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">to you, O God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">we will come jumping and jiving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">into your living room, clapping<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">our hands in time to our songs:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">for you are beyond words,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and music is the common<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">tongue to speak of you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">you cradle canyons in your hands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and shape Everests from dust,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">you float islands like rafts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">across the oceans of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">we come running to jump up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">in your lap, and laugh as<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">you bounce us on your knees,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and then sit on the floor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">as we play marbles together,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and you listen to our silly jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">you ask us to pay attention, and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">oops!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">we run off, slamming our doors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">as hard as we can as if to test<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">how far your patience stretches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">but<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">if we put our ears <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">up to the doors and listen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">very carefully, we might just hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">your heart beating slowly,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">hoping we would come out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and sit at your feet to hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">your stories of grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">© 2020 Thom M. Shuman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-30860095344341888892020-03-04T11:26:00.000-08:002020-03-04T11:26:07.466-08:00canticle 121<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">our
eyes cast down onto</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">sheol’s
road, you tip up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">our
chins so we can see hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">leaping
over the horizon,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">running
our way through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">creation’s
flowery fields.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
help us to stay steady<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">on
our feet in the gusts of life;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
won’t catch you daydreaming<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
hold us, and all your children <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">tight
to your heart, refusing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
nod off no matter how weary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
are our babysitter, our guardian;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
are a shady oak on a hot day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">cooling
us with sweet lemonade,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">showing
us how to use a telescope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
explore the moon each night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
refuse to let the malicious<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
gain power over us;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
wrap us in your arms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
we tremble with fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">whether
we are relaxing at home,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">running
errands, facing down bullies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">trying
to stand up to injustice –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">wherever,
whenever; here, there;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">yesterday,
today, tomorrow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">with
us, beside us, for us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©
2020 Thom M. Shuman <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-41883941690925728282020-02-29T07:18:00.001-08:002020-02-29T07:18:22.031-08:00canticle 32<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">i
wish it was easier<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
believe that you wipe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
my foolishness off the slate,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">that
you don’t hold a grudge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">but
pour out grace on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">yet,
when i hold it all in,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
i am not willing <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
sit down at the table<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
share my dumb mistakes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">well,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">i
feel so empty, so lost,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">my
soul is so parched<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">as
if i have been in a desert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">but
when i sit across from you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">rubbing
my fingers in circles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">on
the tabletop, hoping the server<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">will
come by with more tea;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
i clear my throat, start<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
say something, stop, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">start
over again and, in a rush,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">let
the words slide over to your side,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
smile, grin, begin to chuckle,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">break
out into a hearty laugh and,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">picking
up the check, say, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘let’s
get out of here and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">get
on with living.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
go out into the bright sunshine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">where
i start grabbing everyone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
let them know that, in you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">they
find that haven of hope,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">they
find that island in an ocean of fears,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">they
find that shady tree on hot days,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">they
find the one they’ve been longing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
open their hearts so they might be mended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">if
we listen carefully, if we write it down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">if
we watch carefully, we will discover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">that
the mystery is really simple to solve –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">quit
insisting on our own way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">stop
trying to pull you to follow us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">let
go of all that anger than weighs us down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
if we do, why<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
that grumpiness, all those worries,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
those ‘what will happen if God . . .’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">are
washed away by those loving waters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">of
grace, hope, joy, and wonder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
we can holler our hearts out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
can skip behind you, holding hands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">with
all the other mended souls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">glad
that we finally opened our mouths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
heard your loving voice in our ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©
2020 Thom M. Shuman <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-51826085878974421762020-02-19T10:56:00.002-08:002020-02-19T10:56:36.670-08:00canticle 99<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">no
single word describes you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">holiness
of our hearts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
sit on the floor playing jacks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
walk the sidelines <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">as
we run up and down creation’s pitch,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
could boss us around,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">but
chose to learn how to crawl<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">on
your hands and knees just like us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
join in the silly jingles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
make up to give you thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
gave visions to Jeremiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
taught Miriam how to dance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
sang backup for Hannah and Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
listened to every voice,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">every
heartbreak, every hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">from
those in Eden to this very moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">on
mountaintops and in clouds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">cooking
breakfast on a beach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
sleeping in the back of a boat,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
taught us your dreams,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
showed us how to care for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
lean over to hear our souls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
wipe every mistake we make<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">off
the whiteboard of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
step between us <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
the bullies who would taunt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">us
until we turn and run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
sing your praises over and over,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in
churches and on playgrounds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in
grocery stores and in classrooms,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in
museums and malls, on boats and bicycles,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">for
everywhere we are, wherever we are,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
are standing on holy ground<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">holding
tight to your hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©
2020 Thom M. Shuman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-45695303174700379702020-02-18T09:01:00.002-08:002020-02-18T09:01:10.990-08:00canticle 2<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">all
you conspiracy theorists,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
you worriers stockpiling supplies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
you politicos claiming absolute everything,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">all
those convinced that only losers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">wrap
themselves in grace, hope, peace –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God
is doubled-up in laughter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">wiping
tears from their eyes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ready
to set all those folks straight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
knock them off their narcissism:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">‘look
for my Beloveds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">my
children,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">who
know my heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">who
share my soul,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">they
are transforming weapons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">into
musical instruments,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">taking
day-old bread<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
make sandwiches for hungry kids’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">knock
down walls <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
build shelters for rough sleepers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">pay
attention – you know-it-alls:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">let
your callous souls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">be
transfigured by compassion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">your
bullying words <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">be
turned into love’s language,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">your
life-destroying anger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">become
comfort for the broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">then,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
will find new life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in
my heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©
2020 Thom M. Shuman <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-19027538076723976822020-02-18T08:34:00.002-08:002020-02-18T08:34:31.073-08:00terrific Tuesdayexcept for the single parent<br />
looking for that third job<br />
to put food on the table;<br />
except for those kids<br />
who will be bullied by classmates<br />
whose parents, preachers, and<br />
political heroes tell them<br />
that it is okay to treat others<br />
in those ways;<br />
except for that elder adult<br />
who is trying to figure out<br />
how to pay for medicine;<br />
except for the people<br />
trying to push water<br />
out of their flooded homes,<br />
businesses, schools;<br />
except for that person<br />
going in for (yet) another<br />
round of chemo and radiation;<br />
except for all those we<br />
too often never notice,<br />
it really is terrific Tuesday,<br />
isn't it!?!<br />
<br />
(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman<br />
<br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-24396689440349285392020-02-12T08:01:00.000-08:002020-02-12T08:01:39.058-08:00canticle 119:1-8<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
we try<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
walk your path,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
bless us by setting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">us
on our feet when we stumble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
we listen <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
your words and hopes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
are blessed by<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">finding
your heart;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when
we do justice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
care for the vulnerable,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
know we are <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">following
you as we should.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">you
whisper your dreams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
us, hoping we will<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">write
them down when we awaken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
long beyond longing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to
be your faithful people,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">so
that we might not be mocked<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">for
simply doing as you ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">with
the cracks in our hearts,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">with
our souls weeping for others,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we
will sing glad songs to you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">songs
of remembrance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">of
all you have shared with us;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">songs
which share the promise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">that
you will always be with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">©
2020 Thom M. Shuman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-58960199097132917972020-02-06T11:56:00.000-08:002020-02-06T11:56:10.511-08:00canticle 112hallelujah!<div>
when we worship God </div>
<div>
with dancing and singing,</div>
<div>
we are filling God's heart with joy.</div>
<div>
our children will fill universes</div>
<div>
with grace and peace;</div>
<div>
our grandchildren will bless others</div>
<div>
with wonder and peace,</div>
<div>
as they share from their gifts,</div>
<div>
and plant justice in every heart.</div>
<div>
they search for the forgotten</div>
<div>
in the shadows, to fill them</div>
<div>
with grace, forgiveness, and hope.</div>
<div>
they will open savings accounts</div>
<div>
for the oppressed and needy,</div>
<div>
and put in their own money.</div>
<div>
they shall stand strong </div>
<div>
in the oncoming path of cruelty,</div>
<div>
so others will learn from their lives.</div>
<div>
because their hearts are filled</div>
<div>
with the whispers of God,</div>
<div>
they are not afraid of liars.</div>
<div>
they will never let fear</div>
<div>
control their souls or actions,</div>
<div>
and will turn anger and falsehoods</div>
<div>
into paving stones for others.</div>
<div>
they open their pantries</div>
<div>
so that children will not hunger;</div>
<div>
their thirst for justice for those</div>
<div>
tossed aside by the world will not be quenched;</div>
<div>
they melt down any awards given to them</div>
<div>
into walkers and wheelchairs for their neighbors.</div>
<div>
the mockers and knuckleheads notice</div>
<div>
and cannot figure out their motives;</div>
<div>
they shout louder and louder but,</div>
<div>
like chaff, their words drift away</div>
<div>
into the the breeze for forgetfulness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman</div>
Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-13962073168252695932020-01-30T09:09:00.001-08:002020-01-30T09:09:13.625-08:00canticle 15<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">O God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who have you made up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the guest room for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For whom have you set out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a plate on the table?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">those who try to keep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on the path of faithfulness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and who do not keep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">truth hidden within themselves;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who won't say an unkind word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">about another (especially behind their back),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who care for others</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as much as of themselves,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and who don't share gossip</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">over the backyard fence;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who don't give the haters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a second glance,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but respect those who</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">listen to God's whispers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who stick to their word</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">even when others threaten them;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">who freely open their</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">pockets and purses,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and will care for the most vulnerable,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when offered to look the other way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">these are the folks who</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">are planted deep in the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to bear God's bouquets of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">hope, grace, love, and peace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman </span><br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-62871673629862082832020-01-25T06:45:00.001-08:002020-01-25T06:45:46.133-08:00canticle 27<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as i lie in the shadows,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you are my nightlight,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and i am not afraid of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">monsters under the bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">or in the closet's corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when i am running from</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">my worst fears, you gather</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">me up in your safe arms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you shield me from those</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">longing to feast on my worries;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you trip those who chase me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">like bullies on a playground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">even when it seems the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">is against me, one and all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i hear you whisper, 'don't be scared'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and as anger throws its worst at me,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you step in front to deflect it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">my longing to be in your presence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">is so deep i can almost taste it;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i desire to wander through </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the rooms of your heart, to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">discover all your delights </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and to sit with a warm cup of tea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">as you answer the long list of questions</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i have carried for so many years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when despair stalks me in every moment,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you take me by the hand and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">place me in hope's playroom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">where we can spend days in peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">surrounded by those who don't</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">know me or care for me, i look over</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">their heads, and see you coming,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and i begin to sing the songs of joy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the Spirit taught me so long ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">i whisper, i croak, i shout, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and you hear me, answering</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">with the invitation to come</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and simply sit with you </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on the front porch in that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">still, small silence of grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you never push me away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">but draw me closer;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you will not toss me aside</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the bin of disrepute;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">even if my family locks me out,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you open wide the door</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">of your heart to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">when i stumble from pothole</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to pothole, you grab my hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to teach me how to skip down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the sidewalks of your neighborhood;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">you will not let the liars or the haters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">have the final word about me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in every moment, through every shadow,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the little child sharing a sandwich,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the retiree mentoring a student,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the nurse holding the hand of a patient,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in the prisoner raising a service dog,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">your goodness breaks forth into sight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">give me the patience to simply wait,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">gracious God, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">for your joy, your wonder, your peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">your hope, your grace, your love;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">to simply wait in faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman </span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-8275244745762492272020-01-10T19:06:00.000-08:002020-01-10T19:06:08.263-08:00canticle 29<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">give God your praise, all creation,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">pay attention to what God does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">place God's name on your lips in love;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">set your sights on God's glory all around you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we hear God's voice in the rain on the roof,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we hear God's booming laughter in thunder,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we hear God's word tumbling over the rapids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice gives healing to the broken,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice offers hope to the forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice shatters our pride,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice knocks us off our pedestals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God calls, and children turn cartwheels,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God sings, and old folks remember the refrain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice illumines the shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">so we can find our way home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God's voice shakes us out of our apathy;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God shakes us out of our silence towards injustice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God whispers, and trees begin to dance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in great circles of joy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and all creation shouts, 'hallelujah!'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God is in control of every drop of water,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">especially those that baptize us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">God gives grace in every moment,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">in every moment, fills the beloved with peace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman</span>Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-69172864290853274142020-01-04T06:45:00.002-08:002020-01-04T06:45:46.113-08:00canticle 72give our leaders justice,<br />
God of mercy;<br />
not the justice which<br />
seeks revenge, or condemns<br />
others simply for who they are<br />
or where they come from, but<br />
that justice which lifts<br />
the fallen to their feet,<br />
which offers food to the hungry,<br />
hope to the despairing.<br />
<br />
give our leaders time,<br />
God of every moment:<br />
not those moments<br />
to enrich themselves<br />
or those closest to them,<br />
not hours of self-adulation<br />
or basking in cult-like cheers,<br />
but days of service to others,<br />
seeking the best for those they don't know,<br />
leaving a legacy of kindness not indifference.<br />
<br />
give our leaders awareness,<br />
God of imagination:<br />
so they might listen<br />
and be willing to change their minds;<br />
to see the struggles creation faces<br />
and to set aside politics<br />
in order to end all that damages<br />
the gifts of all life around us.<br />
<br />
give our leaders compassion,<br />
God of the broken:<br />
to care for the vulnerable<br />
more than they do victory laps;<br />
to notice the poor<br />
more than they do polls;<br />
to seek peace every chance given<br />
rather than send troops at the drop of a hat.<br />
<br />
give our leaders hope,<br />
God of the open heart;<br />
give our leaders grace,<br />
God of endless wonder;<br />
give our leaders humility,<br />
God who became one of us:<br />
so we may respect them<br />
as servant leaders of all,<br />
so we may join them<br />
in being just, open communities,<br />
so be may remember them<br />
as those who were transformed<br />
by your goodness and mercy<br />
not by the shifting winds<br />
of political fortune.<br />
<br />
and we will bless you,<br />
God of every place,<br />
for the gifts of leaders<br />
who bring the blessings<br />
of grace, hope, peace, and love<br />
to the people they serve.<br />
<br />
(c) 2020 Thom M. ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-15592142624243515122019-12-27T17:30:00.004-08:002019-12-27T17:30:59.819-08:00canticle 148<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">shout!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">shout to God </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">from the farthest galaxies</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">to snow-capped peaks!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">let it rip, bass note singing frogs;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">twitter away, birds at the feeders!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">sun and moon in eclipses' embrace;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">bright stars in brittle skies, echo the songs!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">sing out loud, clouds drifting across the sky;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">join in the refrain, whitewater rapids!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">everyone, everything, everywhere, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">join in the choruses composed </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">to honor Imagination's heart!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">God turned emptiness into wonder,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">building bridges across rivers,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">tearing down walls of resistance.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">everyone, everything, everywhere,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">shout from the rooftops, the sea floors,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">the blistering beaches, the silent forests -</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">grizzly bears and giant squids,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">campfires and snow families, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">soft gentle breezes and window rattling gusts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">all telling of God's delight!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">sure-footed mountain goats, orange groves,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">cocoa bean plants, ornament bearing trees;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">kittens tiptoeing after sunbeams,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">sheep offering their wool for warmth,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">tortoises seeing the finish live,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">and puffins bobbing in the seas!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">know-it-alls and students fretting over exams,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">teachers and tellers, buyers and seller;</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">babies holding on to grandparents' pinkies,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">little girls dancing with their feet on their dads!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">planets and parrots, sea lions and sparrows,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">the voiceless and those with perfect pitch,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">the wise, the wealthy, the needy, the foolish,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">let all join hands and hearts, hopes and dreams,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">speaking with fingers and sighing in the silence,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">for no one has a monopoly</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">on telling God of our great love.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Shout!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-2041432685774582622019-12-12T09:27:00.003-08:002019-12-12T09:27:48.920-08:00canticle 146our souls rejoice in you,<br />
God of wonder and grace!<br />
we sing carols of joy<br />
in this season and in all<br />
the days to come, until<br />
there are no more!<br />
<br />
help us to learn not<br />
to trust politicians<br />
be they right-wing,<br />
left-wing, wingless; or<br />
those who could care<br />
less about others.<br />
their words turn to dust<br />
just as they do, and their<br />
plans drift away like chaff.<br />
<br />
but our hope is in you,<br />
God of our faith grandparents;<br />
hope which comes, not<br />
just once a year on a holy night,<br />
but is ours every breath we take,<br />
a gift from the One who<br />
flung galaxies into the heavens,<br />
who never breaks a promise,<br />
who lifts the forgotten to their feet,<br />
who places extra chairs at dinner<br />
until everyone has a place.<br />
<br />
God picks the locks on<br />
every fear and anger<br />
which imprisons us;<br />
God tilts up our heads<br />
from our devices, so<br />
we can see the needy;<br />
God teaches us justice<br />
as the basic skill we need.<br />
God keeps an eye on those<br />
we have turned our backs on;<br />
God cradles the lonely mourners<br />
and sits in doorways with kids<br />
who have been locked out<br />
of the homes they grew up in;<br />
God holds each of us accountable<br />
on how we treat the vulnerable.<br />
<br />
God's love, hope, grace, peace,<br />
wonder, joy, welcome never become<br />
obsolete.<br />
our souls rejoice in you,<br />
God of grace and wonder!<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman<br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-89389261249966819562019-12-11T09:09:00.002-08:002019-12-11T09:09:41.920-08:00Mary's canticleas i push the cart<br />
down the hallway<br />
to clean the next room,<br />
i sing wonders to<br />
the One who works<br />
at my side in every moment.<br />
God watches the care<br />
and love with which<br />
i serve others, even<br />
though they look<br />
right past me, for<br />
God will share my life<br />
with those who follow me;<br />
God does amazing things<br />
for those who are forgotten,<br />
yet who continue to trust<br />
they are cradled in God's love.<br />
God strengthens those worn out<br />
by three jobs a week, while<br />
the supervisors forget what<br />
they are supposed to be doing<br />
to impress the CEOs.<br />
God knocks down the stone<br />
monuments to power abusers,<br />
building homes for those<br />
relegated to crowded shelters.<br />
God spends all night<br />
cooking a banquet for all<br />
who wonder about their next meal,<br />
while giving directions to the food bank<br />
to folk who could skip a few dinners.<br />
God supports all who<br />
visit the prisoners, care for the vulnerable,<br />
gather in the abandoned,<br />
in thanks for God's grace<br />
in their own lives,<br />
just as the stories of what God<br />
did for our grandparents in the faith<br />
are told over and over<br />
until they become seeds<br />
which bring forth a harvest<br />
of hope, grace, peace, inclusion<br />
for all of God's people.<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman<br />
Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-70922254388727684752019-08-16T17:32:00.001-07:002019-08-16T17:32:55.597-07:00canticle 80hear us, Tender God,<br />
who gathers us<br />
like a border collie!<br />
you sit on a park bench<br />
built from the songs of angels,<br />
smiling as you watch us<br />
swing high up into the sky, and<br />
when we scrape our knees,<br />
run to pick us up,<br />
kissing our boo-boos!<br />
<br />
run quickly, our Parent,<br />
to sweep us up in your arms!<br />
<br />
when we speak hollow words<br />
to you instead of our hearts,<br />
our soup is flavored with your tears,<br />
and our bread tastes stale;<br />
even our playmates know<br />
how foolish we have been,<br />
giggling behind our backs<br />
with one another.<br />
<br />
run quickly, our Parent,<br />
to sweep us up in your arms!<br />
<br />
you took a runner of strawberries<br />
from your garden,<br />
so it might take root<br />
wherever your children live.<br />
it slowly spreads over the lawns<br />
and curls under the trees,<br />
it sneaks towards the sides houses,<br />
and creeps down to the ponds.<br />
when we would make preserves<br />
and keep the jars for ourselves,<br />
you invite everyone to come<br />
and fill their baskets for free,<br />
letting little children get the juice<br />
all over their faces and clothes.<br />
<br />
take another look, Gardener of our hearts,<br />
see how the runners might offer<br />
food and joy to so many,<br />
your gift becoming precious to others.<br />
yes, we aren't good caretakers,<br />
yes, we let the weeds creep in,<br />
but you can teach us the right way<br />
to care for all you have offered us,<br />
taking us by the hand, so<br />
slowly, carefully, we may become<br />
master gardeners just like you!<br />
then, we won't make the same mistakes<br />
over and over, but share the bounty,<br />
telling everyone who taught us<br />
how to be good strawberry farmers!<br />
<br />
run quickly, our Teacher,<br />
to sweep us up in your arms!<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-84881521842523607632019-08-08T17:20:00.000-07:002019-08-08T17:20:29.598-07:00canticle 50enough!<br />
God has had enough;<br />
no more standing in the wings,<br />
no more waiting for us<br />
to do what we know we should do.<br />
<br />
enough!<br />
God has had enough:<br />
no more keeping silent,<br />
hoping our prayers will take shape,<br />
that our thoughts will lead to action,<br />
that our brokenness will bring healing.<br />
calling us into the living room,<br />
God holds a family meeting:<br />
<br />
"enough!<br />
i have had enough<br />
of your kowtowing to the powerful,<br />
your idols made of steel,<br />
your worship of angry words and hearts;<br />
you don't care about the air and water,<br />
the creatures who are dying,<br />
the species that are going extinct!<br />
<br />
"enough!<br />
if you hand me another plate<br />
piled with thoughts and prayers,<br />
i will throw it against the wall!<br />
show me your hands and hearts,<br />
how you have fed the hungry,<br />
welcomed newcomers,<br />
taught children the ABCs of grace.<br />
<br />
"listen, knuckleheads!<br />
don't twist my words to suit<br />
your political agendas;<br />
don't promise hope with<br />
your fingers crossed behind your backs!<br />
if you see someone bullying another,<br />
get in their face till they stop;<br />
if someone invites you to party<br />
instead of practicing justice, turn them down.<br />
<br />
"enough!<br />
you open your mouth and<br />
an avalanche of bile pours out;<br />
you mock the most vulnerable,<br />
you call the stranger vile names,<br />
you think because you sing<br />
praise verses on Sunday, you<br />
can heap abuse on others, and<br />
that i am okay with that<br />
the rest of the days of the week?!<br />
<br />
"enough!<br />
now you are going to listen:<br />
to my heart which is shattered,<br />
to my soul which groans in anguish,<br />
to my whispered tears which<br />
flow freely throughout the day.<br />
<br />
"enough is enough!<br />
it is time to make justice for others,<br />
to bring healing into division,<br />
to rebuild crumbling neighborhoods,<br />
to live the good news rather<br />
than putting it on church signs:<br />
<br />
those are the gifts you can offer to me,<br />
and to your sisters and brothers<br />
who cry out to you for hope."<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-54713053249006003602019-08-06T08:53:00.000-07:002019-08-06T08:59:08.621-07:00canticle 33<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">blow the dust off the drums,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">put new strings on the banjo,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">get the piano tuned, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">hand wooden spoons to little kids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">start playing the golden oldies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">while making up new songs for God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">sit down, play scrabble with our God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">forming new words from grace's pile of letters;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">words like justice and hope,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">words describing stars and sunsets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and God's incredible language of love:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">love as sweet as a crisp apple,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">love as fresh as an autumn breeze,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">love as tart as summer lemonade,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">love that's deeper than our fears.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">reach out your hands to grasp those</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">of our sisters and brothers every where</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">as we join in the dances taught to us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">by the Spirit who whispers in our ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God knocks over the houses of cards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">we build from our foolish thoughts,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">simply asking as to hope in the Heart of love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and to trust as deeply as did are grandparents in faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> we are blessed when we trust in God,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when we see
each other as family<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God keeps an eye out on all of us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">watching carefully
to see if <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">we love without reservation,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">if we offer compassion without conditions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">if leaders turn away from power and threats,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">offering justice and grace instead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God twirls in circles when we<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">honor the divine image in others,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when we pick up hope from<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">the shattered
places of life,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when we choose love, not hate;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">when we feed those who wander <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">through both
food and fear deserts;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">in moments of grief and pain </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">beyond imagining, we
wait, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and here comes God, in those who run<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">toward hate, to transform it into love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">who shelter
little ones from horror;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">we trust, and so we hope;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">we hope, and so we offer our hearts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">to the One who fills them with grace;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">every time we trust, we hope, we come,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">God is waiting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">every time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman</span></div>
Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-6757792478190916422019-07-30T08:41:00.001-07:002019-07-30T08:49:55.815-07:00canticle 107your grace is as close<br />
as every breath we take;<br />
your love clings tighter<br />
to us than any velcro fastener;<br />
and so we tell everyone<br />
of how you reach out<br />
and gather us from<br />
every edge to which we wander.<br />
<br />
some arrive at borders,<br />
weary and broken,<br />
hungering for hope<br />
more than any food,<br />
thirsting for just a sip<br />
of peace and freedom.<br />
they cried to God, who<br />
welcomes them with open arms,<br />
setting a place at the table.<br />
they compose songs of joy<br />
to be sung in the evenings,<br />
with stomachs full and<br />
souls overflowing with laughter.<br />
<br />
some huddle in shadowed doorways,<br />
sleeping rough in parks,<br />
listening to the well-off<br />
passing them by on the way home<br />
from fancy restaurants and boutique bars.<br />
they had worked hard all their lives,<br />
but made redundant, jobs converted to tech,<br />
they lost everything, especially dignity.<br />
they cried to God, who<br />
brings light into the dimmest corners,<br />
who shatters despair with hope,<br />
who puts them to work sharing grace<br />
with those who think they have enough,<br />
singing of the One who has never used<br />
the word hopeless about anyone.<br />
<br />
some became addicted to opioids,<br />
offered without thought by those<br />
seeking to make money off another's pain;<br />
some heard the dreaded words<br />
'the cancer has come back,'<br />
while others lie awake gripped<br />
by the strong arm of depression.<br />
they cried to God, who<br />
offers the love's brokenness<br />
and wraps them in bands of compassion<br />
soaked with the tears of grace,<br />
and they run to share with others<br />
of the One who will shelter them<br />
in welcome and kindness.<br />
<br />
some are buffeted by angry words,<br />
tossed about on the seas of bitterness,<br />
set adrift by those filled with hate.<br />
they knew the love of God,<br />
the hopes God has for all,<br />
but the waves of vilification and judgment<br />
tossed them far into the air,<br />
and sank them into rejection's depths.<br />
finally, when it seemed even hope<br />
had abandoned all hope,<br />
they cried to God, who<br />
told the tweeters to be still,<br />
and the trolls to shut their mouths.<br />
in the quiet of God's heart,<br />
they found their true home,<br />
joining their sisters and brothers,<br />
all their mentors and models<br />
in shouts of acclamation.<br />
<br />
for there is One who<br />
will turn floods of vitriol<br />
into dusty dry riverbanks,<br />
who will let the hate's wine<br />
become bitter vinegar poured<br />
into the cups of those who<br />
turn their backs on others.<br />
<br />
and he turns food deserts<br />
into farmers markets for the indigent,<br />
fixes the broken pipes so grace<br />
flows without ceasing;<br />
he teaches the hungry the best recipes,<br />
and settles them into<br />
neighborhoods of hope,<br />
where they plant community gardens,<br />
to put fresh produce<br />
on each other's porches,<br />
blessing others as deeply<br />
as God has blessed them.<br />
<br />
but those who think they are<br />
holier than others are put in their place,<br />
sent into time-out until they relearn<br />
the ABCs of love's language.<br />
and the vulnerable?<br />
they become God's trusted council,<br />
grace's children applauding with joy,<br />
while the despots lose their voices.<br />
<br />
if we have any smarts at all,<br />
we will pay more attention<br />
to God's faithful love.<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. ShumanThom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15221996.post-29067080762440177102019-07-24T08:04:00.000-07:002019-07-24T08:04:22.064-07:00canticle 85once, we sat in the backyard,<br />
telling stories and watching fireflies;<br />
once, you looked past our foolishness<br />
and boxed up our fibs and shipped them away;<br />
you pushed your anger to the back<br />
of the highest shelf, so you couldn't reach it;<br />
you placed your outrage in the bottom<br />
of the freezer, buried under all the summer fruit.<br />
<br />
can you do it again, God of our hearts,<br />
look at our faces, not our faults;<br />
cancel the call to the divorce lawyer,<br />
tear the page marked 'judgment'<br />
out of your calendar?<br />
teach us (again!) to take<br />
great gulps of grace<br />
so we have breath to sing.<br />
open that picture folder marked 'love'<br />
so we can remember together.<br />
<br />
tell us the old bedtime stories<br />
of peace which never falters,<br />
of people who never break promises,<br />
of mercy as near as our breath,<br />
of wonders just beyond the horizon.<br />
<br />
like old classmates at a reunion,<br />
love and faith will run to hug one another;<br />
justice and hope will exchange vows<br />
under the wedding canopy.<br />
from the tiny seeds of faith,<br />
tall trees will reach for the sky,<br />
and the stars of goodness<br />
will twinkle throughout the night.<br />
<br />
you offer us sweet corn for dinner,<br />
and fresh peaches out of your orchard.<br />
honesty will run before you,<br />
shouting that you are on the way<br />
to gather us up in your arms<br />
<br />
(c) 2019 Thom M. Shuman<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Thom M. Shumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09267107871832458323noreply@blogger.com0