It has been a while since I have shared a reflection \u2013 we have been blessed with gifted interns who have shared their inspiring thoughts these past months of 2021. We will miss their writings and we will especially miss their presence among us in this community. This coming Sunday in our community worship service we will say goodbye and bless them on their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we who remain will continue. We will continue in this good work during this difficult time. The Spring brings with it new air, new buds on the trees, the snow drops draw our attention the emerging tulips and daffodils. And with all this emerging life we are once again reminded of the resilience of what the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins called the \u201cdearest freshness deep down things.\u201d No season of loss, no winter can outlast the life hidden deep inside the earth, deep inside us. And it is with that life that we continue \u2013 through every new season. And so I offer the wise and beautiful words of the poet Maya Angelou on this theme in her poem, \u201cContinue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Into a world which needed you
My wish for you
Is that you continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be who and how you are
To astonish a mean world
With your acts of kindness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To allow humor to lighten the burden
of your tender heart<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a society dark with cruelty
To let the people hear the grandeur
Of God in the peals of your laughter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To let your eloquence
Elevate the people to heights
They had only imagined<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To remind the people that
Each is as good as the other
And that no one is beneath
Nor above you<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To remember your own young years
And look with favor upon the lost
And the least and the lonely<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To put the mantel of your protection
Around the bodies of
The young and defenseless<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To take the hand of the despised
And diseased and walk proudly with them
In the high street
Some might see you and
Be encouraged to do likewise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To plant a public kiss of concern
On the cheek of the sick
And the aged and infirm
And count that as a
Natural action to be expected<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To let gratitude be the pillow
Upon which you kneel to
Say your nightly prayer
And let faith be the bridge
You build to overcome evil
And welcome good<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To ignore no vision
Which comes to enlarge your range
And increase your spirit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To dare to love deeply
And risk everything
For the good thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To float
Happily in the sea of infinite substance
Which set aside riches for you
Before you had a name<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And by doing so
You and your work
Will be able to continue
Eternally<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May you be well and supported today and may the blessing of God or all that sustains you, keep you safe, grant you peace and fill you with all that you need, just for today. Amen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It has been a while since I have shared a reflection \u2013 we have been blessed with gifted interns who have shared their inspiring thoughts these past months of 2021. We will miss their writings and we will especially miss their presence among us in this community. This coming Sunday in our community worship service … Continue reading Reflection from Joel<\/span>