At the Table

I was blessed to sit and talk to some good friends today, who gently reminded me that I have not been writing much. Yes, I, too, have been aware of that.   As I have been trying to balance serving two ministries, I have not yet found the way clear to sit with my prayer candles and write.   Good friends that they are, they simply encouraged me to keep going, but to keep writing.   And so, I promised to send this epilogue from Mary Oliver's book entitled Thirst that I read to them today. 

  We all hunger and thirst - to make sense of our lives, to keep going, to serve God.  Sometimes, the hunger and thirst can be satiated with  good conversation over the communion of laughter, tears, and lunch.  However we feel we are called, we are first of all called to reach out and connect. This hunger and thirst, I think Jesus knew, and why I try to follow, tuna salad on a bagel in hand.             

   

Thirst 

  

Another morning and I wake with thirst for the goodness I do not have. 

I walk out to the pond and all the way God has given us such beautiful lessons. 

Oh, Lord, I was never a quick scholar but sulked and hunched over my books 

past the hour and the bell; grant me, in your mercy a little more time. 

Love for the earth and love for you are having such a long conversation in my heart. 

Who knows what will finally happen or where I will be sent, 

yet already I have been given a great many things away, 

expecting nothing, except the prayers which, with this thirst, I am slowly learning.