Spiritual Care Sunday #2


The blessing below was written by Jan Richardson (the same author who wrote the blessing that the residents said over us on our first day at orientation-- "The Blessing of the Threshold"). I mentioned this one below in sharing my story with you all on Thursday, and I also thought it was a perfect read for us with Valentine's Day just around the corner. Happy Sunday! 


These are the names I wrote down in your honor after listening
 to your beautiful stories on our Story Day on Thursday... 

Dear
Wisdom Keeper (Taylor),
Deep Well Dancer (Margi),
Soul Gardener (Mele),
Tender Glance of God (Regina),
Gentle Noticer (Tim), 
may these words below sink deep into your souls this week.... 


 Beloved Is Where We Begin

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.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace



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