The madness must stop

Sparks fly heavenward.
Innocent lives once again
have been snuffed out by hate.
We grieve for those now gone.
We pray for parents and children and siblings.
We petition God’s comfort.
We confess our outrage and fear.
We protest the reputation
by which our bloody nation is becoming known.
We mourn together.
Lord, have mercy!

A prayer when your mother dies

Father, my mother is gone
and I’m a child again.
I’m sad (and for good reason).

She gave me birth, she kindled faith.
She gave me roots and wings.
This precious saint who walked with You
first taught me how to sing.
She calmed my fears, affirmed my plans
and filled my heart with hope.
She prayed with me when all seemed lost
and I just couldn’t cope.

They say you never can predict
how much you’ll miss your mom
until you start to phone her
and then realize she’s gone. (They’re right!)
This one who flamed with love for You
(the light of my life) has passed.
Her present is my future.
She’s at rest, with You, at last.

Saying goodbye to a much-loved colleague

When a much-loved colleague opts to leave,
your heart is sad. You start to grieve.
You replay memories you made
and wish you had made more.

You thank the Lord for special times
when goals were met or redefined.
The chance to team up side-by-side
gave meaning to your work.

Through synergy you found the verve.
You found yourself inspired to serve.
And that’s what makes so-longs so hard.
Goodbyes are rarely good.

So honor those who choose to go.
Thank God (from whom all blessings flow)
for time that proved to be much more
than simply 9 – 5.

Contemplating the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon

“That’s one small step,” Neil Armstong said
as we watched on TV.
And then we stepped outside and gazed
up at the moon to see
an orb of dust and rocks that glowed
much brighter than before.
For on that lunar surface stood
a flag and so much more.

Accomplishment! That’s what it was.
Two proud men standing tall.
Both Neil and Buzz had stood the test
and answered NASA’s call.
And after fifty years it seems
we need another goal
to unify our fractured land
and make our nation whole.

Creator God, who flung the stars
and planets into space,
we’re humbled by the universe
that dwarfs our puny place.
Remind us all what You have wrought
and how each plays its part
to bring about Your purposed plan
and rule our rebel hearts.

Experiencing the emotion of a mother’s last days

The waiting room is a lonely place
where I must face
my grownup childhood fears.
Surrounded by others,
I feel alone and nervous
about what’s to come.

It’s a gathering place
for family and friends
where memories are shared
and regrets embraced.
It’s where goodbyes are said
to someone who cannot return the farewell.

It’s a sacred place
where earth and heaven meet.
As faith and hope hold hands,
mortality gives way to immortality.
It’s where the mystery of eternal light
provides illumination amid the shadows
to approach God with confidence.
It’s holy ground.

The waiting room provides a front row seat
as the drama of life and death
is played out on the elevated stage of a hospice bed
while a loved one takes one last curtain call.

The waiting room is a difficult place to be.
But there is no place I would rather be.
It is an awesome privilege to shepherd this one
who escorted me into this world into the next.

Lord, give me grace for the journey
and the means to cherish
each remaining moment with my mom.

*The above was written as I observed my 92 year old mother living out the final days of her life in her room in a dementia facility after suffering a major stroke and being put on hospice.