Here’s a song I wrote to say thanks to my congregation on my ordination. I wrote it last week—the lyrics basically came out start to finish while I was walking one morning. That hasn’t happened for a while. I made a few edits, and it took a while to find the melody, but it was a pretty quick process. Sunday reminded me what matters most is simply presence. Grace shows up when we're chatting in the hallway or having coffee or telling stories. And somehow my digressions and my faltering words and my awkward moments fell into grace. Somehow they were translated by love.

Here’s a blessing to take with you:

As you go, may you take the hand

of your Divine Mother

who guides you in gentleness and peace.

May you trust in her wisdom.

May you feel her joy at your presence.

And may the armor of your heart

fall away

as you are fully-known—

that you might live openhearted,

part of this great company

of grace.

Go in peace.

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This song has been in my head a lot recently. I wrote it more than a decade ago. I remember sitting on the back porch in our first house, looking up at the rich blue of late evening while it got too dark to see. It was a darkness that wasn’t dark. It was like a sea of blue coating everything around—dying the whole world some translucent indigo. I suppose our vision is always colored in some way. Perhaps seeing the blueness of our endings is a good way to see.

Here’s a blessing to take with you this week:

May you find that

your brokenness is no shame,

your weakness is no burden,

your uncertainty is not a lack,

and your heartache is not unnoticed,

for you are beloved.

May you know that love

that does not overlook,

but looks deeply,

that does not seek perfection

except to perfectly love,

and that welcomes you

into this glorious mystery.

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Whatever you believe about it, I think it’s pretty obvious that we need each other. We’re made for community. We’re made for connection. I think it’s in those connections where we’ll find healing and grace and new life. So may you have a happy pride however you celebrate, and may you know that you belong.

Here’s a blessing to take with you this week:

As you go

May you find shade from the sun and

shelter from the passing storm.

May you find cool water in the dry places and

warm fires in the night.

And may you find your burden a little lighter,

eased by your traveling companions as

the divine Spirit gathers us

to share each others' loads.

Go in peace.

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