At today’s virtual gathering and Visio Divina, we lifted up the prayer requests sent in from across the country as we paused to reflect on a beautiful image from the St. John’s Bible. If you would like to receive the list of prayer requests, please email Gini at ukirk@ukirk.org.
Rev. Rachel Penmore invited participants place one hand over our hearts and one out to symbolize a posture of both receiving a blessing and offering one as she shared this benediction by Kate Bowler. We invite you to do the same now as you read it.
A Blessing for Those Who Serve Others by Kate Bowler
So bless you all in these beautiful, terrible contradictions.
You who serve others,
knowing it comes at a steep cost.
That time you’ll never get back.
Those people who won’t ever be as grateful as you hope.
The paycheck or PTO or benefits that will never add up to enough.
May you be reminded
that maybe you were called for such a time as this.
To pour out your great, great gifts for the sake of the other.
To work toward this beautiful, terrible interdependence.
(Even if community is much easier in theory than in practice.)
And on the days where you feel
like your work is just a drop in the ocean.
Or you want to throw in the towel
Because you are far beyond burnout.
May joy and delight be yours, my dears,
and may it fuel the hard, beautiful work you do.
And hey, if you are just beginning a move toward service,
may you have the eyes to see the needs in front of you,
the places where your gifts and passions and resources
meet your community’s deep needs.
Or if you’re just starting to ask for help yourself, bless you.
May your courage be met with kindness.
You are all my favorite kinds of people and I love you. Bless you.