September 9th

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

only—
live not in tiktoks or x-posts
but in the weariness
of single parents,
the songs of earth awaking,
learning from the pauses
in grief.
worthy—
not earning applause
or polishing resumes,
but sharing broken bread
with those hungering for crumbs
or offering a cup of grace
to all parched by despair.
of the gospel—
that upside-down community,
one moment, coming like a tornado
to pull the roofs of our fears
and the next, a caravan of strangers
arriving to stay as long as needed.
of Christ—
who stands on corners
needing our help,
who wipes our tears
when everyone turns away,
who invites us to see God
in the faces of everyday people
the world says have no value.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman