Good morning…
Up in the middle of night’s darkness, I wonder, “God, where do we begin praying for loved ones facing death, divorce, depression?”
I pull out a poem we received at this weekend’s retreat at Ignatius House, and I whisper it out loud on behalf of all who are in pain, dear ones hurting deeply.
******
“Beloved Is Where We Begin” by Jan Richardson, from Circle of Grace
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.
I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
******
Beloved by God is where we all begin. Wandering in the wilderness – facing death, divorce, depression – might we remember the truth?
It’s true; we are His beloved children (1 John 3:1a, VOICE). Let it into your heart, Beloved.
That is what this journey is for.
…Sue…
