November 7th

Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Matthew 14:16

when
it seems so easy
to throw obscene amounts
of money at those who already
have far more than they could
ever spend in 20 lifetimes
but claim we cannot find
any funds to be able
to feed those whose situations
are beyond heartbreaking.
when we turn out the lights
and close the drapes
hoping that the needy
will think no one is home.
when we put on the outdoor sign
“sorry, but empathy is toxic’
so that everyone will get the message,
remind us
that there is no need
you
we
i
cannot fill.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

November 6th

“For you do not give me up to Sheol,
   or let your faithful one see the Pit.” Psalm 16:10

yes, the shadows lengthen
seeming to hide the end of the path.
yes, the alleluias seem to echo
in some distant corner of my soul,
yet, your lullaby of resurrection
slips through the cracks in that stone
i have rolled into place to bury my doubts.
Keeper of those promises
we have either forgotten or
no longer think we can trust,
you will not let the dust of death
cover our souls with silence,
for your grace has a longer reach
than the deepest grave
and your tenacious love
refuses to let go of us—
even when we release our grip.
so, continue to whisper life
into the shadows as they lengthen
once more.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

November 5th

“The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9

that serpent who whispers
in our ears, “God says you
are not good enough”
will be tossed into the bin
by little kids who choose
the forgotten to be on their team.
that deceiver who breathes fire
into all the dinging notifications,
trying to sell cruelty as empathy
and fear as true patriotism
will be hurled out of its cave
by all the women laboring hope.
for every time we choose love,
every time we lift the fallen,
every time we welcome the refugee,
every time we forgive without being asked
that old liar takes a fall.
friends,
let us live as those
who have seen the dragon
take a pratfall,
and heard soft laughter
of heaven rising to the sky.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

November 4th

“These things I remember,
     as I pour out my soul:” Psalm 42:4

may i never forget
you always finding me
no matter how good
i think i am at hide-and-seek,
waking up in the middle
of the night afraid
to open my eyes
until i hear your gentle
breathing from the corner,
your stubbornness in never
giving up on me, however
persistent i am in turning
my back on you,
your leaning over to listen
every time i cry out to you
even if it is the same words
every time.
if i ever forget,
have mercy
and never forget me.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

November 3rd

“The voice of the LORD
   shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the
   wilderness of Kadesh. Psalm 29:8

when the soft sobs
of hungry children
crying themselves to sleep
interrupt our midnight snacking,
when the whispered memories
of those who are once again
playing childhood games
with friends no longer
on this side of grace
follow us down the corridors
of retirement communities,
when the longings
of immigrant families
cause cracks in
judgmental hearts,
your voice, O God,
shatters the wilderness
of our apathy.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

 

November 2nd

“Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:31

in dog walkers
and street hawkers,
in rough sleepers
and mythological innkeepers.
in tax collectors watching
from tree branches,
and neighborhood kids
cleaning up yards after storms.
in all
who put up with us
and those who nudge us,
in the ones who chase
after you with abandon
and folks who drag
their doubts like luggage.
in the grandfather
who lives just around the corner
and the nana sheltering
neighborhood kids in a
war-torn town,
we find your
Beloved Community
in all the wrong places
we never thought to visit
and in all the wrong people
we never deem worthy.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman

November 1st

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Matthew 13:33

it is like seeing a video of my Mom,
as you slip into that faded apron,
sprinkle grace on the tabletop
as well as your hands
and gently begin to knead
your Beloved Community into
the dense dough of our lives.
it is there where we often don’t notice—
corners of a kitchen
curled up like a sleepy cat,
the booth echoing with laughter
of a group of aging girlfriends,
in the soft touch of a weary nurse.
there’s no DJ amped music,
no ‘breaking news’ dings,
no shouts of OMG!
just that slow proofing
as hope begins to ferment,
as justice begins to take shape,
as the texture of love swells
into that bread broken
so all might be fed new life.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman