September 25th

“’So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.’” Matthew 6:2

we can blow our own horns
(after all, everyone else seems to),
and in our hubris, we may not notice
how strident the notes sound or
the folks who quickly turn away.
but with open hands,
with nothing to gain
(especially applause from others),
we can share that tune
we did not compose—
a hymn for the hungry,
a love song for the lonely,
a great chorus of grace
which does not seek the spotlight,
which does not care about reviews,
but simply invites us to live
in the silence between the notes,
where God carries the melody
smiling at the music
we never knew was in us.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman