Good morning…
“Just read this lovely blessing from Kate Bowler,” a friend emailed me yesterday. Before the heat of the day rose high. Before the shock of another mass shooting dropped us low. Before this night of broken sleep took its tiring toll on so many ordinary people. “Thought you would enjoy it,” she added, “. . . fits perfectly my week.”
Sometimes I am paper
thinning at every touch.
Responsibilities and duties and errands
are wearing me down.
There is not enough time or energy
or finances or imagination.
I hardly recognize myself.
I can’t keep going, but I can’t rest.
God, can You help me slow down?
I just need a little shelter and a long breath.
I need a real summer.
Give me space to curl up for a while.
Hold me until I can feel my shoulders drop,
and I am freed from what can’t happen right now.
Let me think only about what is gentle and lovely,
what is bountiful and unencumbered on this on this too-heavy day.
God, scoop me up into life as it is.
Stop me from running ahead,
so I can be here in this space for the moment.
May this summer be a chance
to return to myself, once again.
Amen.
P.S. Kate Bowler writes: “If you know of someone who would like to join us for the Joyfully Mediocre Summer Blessing Series, please forward this email and they can subscribe here.”
I touched on the link and subscribed myself. I look forward to receiving Kate’s weekly words of blessing throughout this summer.
Raw.
Real.
Restorative.
As we are scooped up into life just as it is today, may we stop running ahead and be right here in this space for a moment, leaning into the gentle God who whispers, “Curl up. Shelter. Breathe.”
The Eternal keeps you safe, so close to Him that His shadow is a cooling shade to you (Psalm 121:5, VOICE).
…Sue…
