June 14th

“The LORD bless you and
     keep you;
the LORD make his face
     to shine upon you, and be
     gracious to you;
the LORD lift up his
     countenance upon you,
     and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

we bless others and keep them
as part of the fabric of life, when
we do not build fences shutting them out,
but cup our hands gently
around their fragile hopes.
we can turn toward the laughter
of children who glimpse joy in shadows,
toward the grace found in
checkout lines, at workstations,
and in all those everyday places
where people wonder if they are seen.
we can raise people out of fear
with a peace that is deeper than quiet,
out of loneliness by holding
neighbors and strangers alike,
out of grief by becoming
a glimpse of God’s love.
and as we do, we slip
blessing upon blessing beneath
the doors of weary hearts.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman