Piloting Faith: Hearing some really painful stories changed me...
A Word for the Day...
This past week in both New York and Washington DC, I had the privilege of hearing heartbreaking stories from people who were the victims of exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. As I listened to each story, I felt a fragile bond form between us. I turned my whole body to face the person speaking. I looked them in the eyes. I took in their words. I ached for and with them. Their sharing and my listening created a deep communion that changed us both.
We all have stories of pain and hurt. When we gather the courage to tell our stories in spaces safe enough to honor our offering, we find healing.
I pray that if you hurt, you have someone to talk to. If you are privileged enough to be the person that others turn to, recognize the privilege of that responsibility. We are each other's keepers in this way. We heal each other when we tell the truth about our lives and then say to each other, "I hear you, I care about you, I am in this with you."
- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight
Prayer for the Week
You have promised to give us wisdom if we ask, and without holding our need against us. You don't fault us for asking, then asking again. I need this gift today.
Grant me deeper understanding in the common things, the things I do out of habit and without a second thought. May every part of my life me infused with your life - like light, like streams of waters.
Help me to rightly examine all things, to discern right from wrong, to see clearly what I should do. I need wisdom in...
my work
my relationships
how I speak to others
how I spend and save money
how I eat
what I give my attention to throughout this day
And it's not just for me. In the push and shove of competing opinions, our whole community needs wisdom. Grant us insight in our thoughts and desires, so that our minds can be open, uncluttered, and vibrant. Give us your wisdom, that we may be more like you.
Amen.
(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess, and David Van Biema)
