blessed

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:” Matthew 5:1-2

you could have handed out

volumes of complicated theology,

but you call us

to find community in those we overlook

to welcome hope offered by the broken

to be rich soil for the seeds of the humble

to see justice as the feast of heaven

to make compassion our language of love

to see God in the faces of the most vulnerable

to play games that welcome everyone, and hurt no one

to learn reconciliation from those we have tossed aside

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

wordless

 ^“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,”  1 Corinthians 2:4

so busy building castles

in the air with our words, we

never notice those

hungry for a morsel of grace,

thirsty for a sip of hope,

holding open their hands

to cradle reconciliation

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

foolishness

^“For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25

willing to slip on

a banana peel and

fall on your keister if it

might bring us back to you,

you foolishly left your glory

on the hook in your closet,

letting power think it had

body-slammed you into oblivion,

until your shattered Spirit

sucked the strength out of

death

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

before

 ^“And Ahab said to Naboth, ‘Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house;’” 1 Kings 21:2

before i pat myself on the back

for not stealing anyone’s vineyard;

remind me of the recognition

i yanked from a colleague;

the hope i picked out of

the pocket of a friend;

the trust i ripped out of another’s

heart when i broke a promise

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

listeners

“O that my people would listen to me,
    that Israel would walk in my ways!” Psalm 81:13

in the memories of grandparents,

we learn of your faithfulness;

in the made-up songs

of kids in the bathtub, we

discover your dreams;

in the questions of teenagers,

we are sung your hopes, if

we but pay attention

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

wind rider

“you make the clouds your chariot,
    you ride on the wings of the wind,” Psalm 104:3b

Wind-rider,

cool our anger

with soft breezes of grace;

blow the cobwebs of apathy

from the corners of our souls;

knock us off our assumptions

with a mighty gust of wonder

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

finally

“Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 3:1

when grace becomes

the global language,

when peace becomes

the only choice,

when love and hope

settle in every broken heart,

we will join hands with you,

singing and dancing in joy,

finally

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

troublers

“When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is it you, you troubler of Israel?’”  1 Kings 18:17

in these days,

we need folks

who would overturn

the tables of fear,

who would let the air

out of pompous politicos,

who would pack injustice’s bags,

and put it on the next train

out of town . . .

could you spare us

just a few troublers, God,

please?

 © 2019 Thom M. Shuman

lyrics

“Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” Psalm 33:3

when we continue

to hum the golden oldies of

fear, worry,

anger, ostracism, rather

than taking the time

to learn the lyrics

of your heart . . .

Lord, have mercy

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

worthy

“Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” Philippians 1:27a

though not listed

on any stock exchange,

grace

hope

gentleness

inclusion

peace

may be the most valuable

things we have

(to share)

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

memories

^“I thank my God every time I remember you,” Philippians 1:3

the stranger who waved me

ahead of them at the store;

the little child who gave me

their shy-dimpled smile;

the therapist who challenged me

to take another hesitant step;

may my memories of them

at the end of the day

be my prayer of thanksgiving

to you for these unexpected

gifts

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman

apple carts

 ”Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.”  John 10:39

every time

we think we have you

under control

so you can’t keep upsetting

our apple carts full of doctrines,

you slip through our fingers,

your grace too slippery

for our clenched faith

© 2019 Thom M. Shuman