A Light Has Gone Out

Today, the world lost a bright light. Dr. Maya Angelou passed away. She was woman of great courage, deep wisdom, and amazing vitality. Her legacy of sassy strength will be missed by many, including me. The following poem, “Touched by an Angel” by Dr. Maya Angelou, is an invitation to pray today.

 

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

–Maya Angelou

Recent Posts

Outside the Village

Aug 23, 2021 |

It’s the parking spot we were sure we’d remember, then spent 15 minutes hunting for only to realize it was one aisle away the whole time. It’s a person we were looking intently for in the crowd only to find them less than ten feet away. When our senses are...

Before, During, and After Employment

Jul 20, 2021 |

“You have received instructions about [Mark]; if he comes to you, welcome him.”  Colossians 4:10    The Teammate Who Left A trained expositor, philosopher, and observer, Paul’s fingerprints can be found all over Christian history. For both good and ill, Paul’s...

Permission Granted

Jul 13, 2021 |

I set out to write this week about healthy exits from ministry.  I wanted to write about churches partnering with their ministers who were leaving to help them land softly at whatever was next.  I wanted to write about positive steps a (former) minister can take to...