Karen Alford
Field Personnel in Togo, West Africa
In his book, The Tears of Things, Richard Rohr says that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. May we live boldly in the freedom of not needing to be certain, but/and strong in our faith.
A Blessing for Troubled Times
by Karen (with edits from Karen’s inner cynic/critic/worrier)
May the God of justice walk beside us,
Guide us
(but first teach us how to follow…?)
as we labor to mend what is broken,
to speak truth in the face of judgment and silence,
(And not judge. And not keep silent!)
(…even if we are judging),
and to love boldly in an increasingly exhausted world,
exhausting world.
May Christ, who showed us the power of compassion,
(Show us again, please, it didn’t stick that time)
fill our hearts with courage when fear surrounds,
fear abounds
(Does any but the privileged NOT feel fear right now?)
and grant us peace that passes understanding
even as we carry the burdens of the world.
(Even when we are really really tired, oh God…especially then)
May the Spirit stir within us
like wind through dry leaves,
dry bones, dry souls—
watering our hope, watering our imaginations,
growing and greening in us new visions,
(it’s too dark to see…New visions?)
Enliven our hands for holy work
Serving, giving, receiving
Enliven our hearts for holy work
Loving, praising, grieving
(or/and/also, help us get out of bed)
Take heart: you are not alone.
Holy Spirit, come…
(Waiting…Holy Spirit…?)
The arc of love is long, and we are part of its bending,
mending, wending
Be gentle with yourself, fierce for others,
and faithful in the small, quiet acts of resistance and care of others,
care of self
(Have I been faithful in practicing self-care?)
Go forth in grace, held and upheld by the Divine
who still moves, still speaks, still heals.
Hallelujah!
(Hallelujah!)
Amen. (Amen). Amen. (Amen)!
Pray...Give...Go.