Posts Categorized: Pastor’s Ponderings

(Upon seeing a yellow-bellied sapsucker) To the Woodpecker in the maple, Blessings to you, may you feast Upon whatever you find, May you find whatever you need. When the time comes, We pray you will find safe journey To your home in the mountains, Safe place to lay eggs and raise young, Live long and… Read more

If we live With eyes open wide, Hearts and minds engaged, We have seen Hope sitting on the curb, Head bowed, Tears in his eyes. We have seen Courage running The other way. We have even seen Faith, and cheating When he thought no one was looking. But if we keep looking We may yet… Read more

The day grows dark, Even though it is still short And in an apartment across town, A lonely woman waits for books, or conversation Or anything, but loneliness while outside the window, Lovers wait at the bus stop, for whatever is next. And me? I wonder how it is that I- Filled with disappointments and… Read more

Oh, sweet Jesus, Thank you for the owls. In particular the one who hooted at me From her perch high in hidden pines While I labored in the field.   Oh, I know, She hooted not to me, But to some unknown friend In the woods across the fence, But I heard her, And her… Read more

Why are the trees so bare? Why is the sky so gray? Why is the news so blah? When does Christmas end? When does regular time begin? When do we stop being merry? Where do the birds learn to sing? Where do the stars learn to twinkle? Where does the puppy learn to love? Who… Read more

The care partner Has red and green lights In her hair. There are trees in the lobby And every waiting room. The doctor is a Cubs fan, The nurse is from the Philippines, And the other care partner Is chomping at the bit To move to NYC. Everyone, it seems, Has a personal Christmas wish…. Read more

Does the day begin When I rise up? Or does it begin When the sun peeks through the trees On the eastside of my house? Or did it begin last night, When I lay down to sleep And rest my body, charge my brain For the day that is today? And when does Advent begin?… Read more

A walk in the woods I take, Leaves crackling and crumbling beneath my feet. The shoots that grew from the stumps Of the gum trees I cut last spring, Are filled with leaves turned dark amber, red, A peculiarity the scientists can explain, Though I prefer its mystery And the metaphors I see. It is… Read more

Tractors, Bringing harvest to completion; College students rushing home; Soup in the crock pot, cornbread in the oven; These things remind me, even in a year filled with loss, We are blessed. So gather in faith, gather in prayer, Shout to our God, thank you. Thank you for soil and water and air; Thank you… Read more