Forgiving One,
We are here in your house,
a building built to be used for your glory.
We look around us and see,
familiar faces.
We look around us and see,
empty pews.
We yearn for the days of the past,
when everyone came to church.
But like Jesus,
who reminds the grumblers,
that Zacchaeus had changed,
God reminds us that times change.
We are your people,
we are your beloved,
and for that we are grateful.
May we hear,
your still small voice,
your still-speaking voice,
that calls us outside these walls.
Push us to action,
in the diner,
in the town hall,
in the grocery,
and post office.
Push us to action,
where injustice manifests,
where your people are hungry,
and violence dominates.
Move our feet,
that we go where you need us to be,
to places where hugs & words are needed,
Send us to one another,
that we use our presence,
as a balm of healing,
within this community,
and beyond.
Use us to touch,
[insert names]
When you call us out of the tree,
may we jump down joyful at your presence.
When you call us out of the tree,
may we embrace you,
and become the people
you want us to be.
In the name,
and in the footsteps of Jesus,
we pray and seek to follow. AMEN.
Tim is a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, a father of two adult children, and their spouses, and a grandfather of four perfect children. A former early childhood educator, Tim is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has served as pastor of both Disciples and United Church of Christ congregations. As we enter what we hope is the final phase of the pandemic, Tim is beginning a journey of rediscovering himself and discerning next steps. He writes from his home in Albany, Oregon and wherever the Spirit lures him.
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