May 23rd

"Fire goes before him, 

    and consumes his adversaries 

         on every side.
His lightnings light up the world; 
    the earth sees and trembles." Psalm 97:3-4

as we sit around 

the fire pit. eating

s'mores, telling old stories,

thinking of friends (even

those we have not yet met)

may our words become comfort

for their wearied, worried souls

and our prayers rise like

the sparks from the fire to you.

and

as the bull frogs begin

their evening beatbox joined

by the cicadas and crickets

deep in the shadows, may

we feel our souls trembling

at the sheer wonder 

of your presence all around

us.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman