Peace

Yesterday we planted our peace pole, it was a grand event, perhaps the highlight of our year! I read a poem on peace I wrote when I was thinking about how peace making can come in the ordinary moments of life. We can be peacemakers in our homes, in our community, in the world, by practicing peace as we go about the routines of life, cleaning house, eating meals, reading to our children. So I wrote this poem about one of the rituals I love, making coffee!

Peace
As the coffee maker grinds the beans, so may your word, O God grind
UP the resentment, and sin within me, so I might be free to pursue you!
as the coffee maker causes the water to boil
so may faith cause my heart to warm and open to the needs of the world.
As the coffee maker causes the water to drip over the beans
So may the Spirit pour upon me to revive my soul.
As the coffee maker causes the flavor of the beans to spill into the carafe
So may life call to my gifts and graces and guide me and guide me in contributing to the world.
Ah, the aroma, brings me accumulated memories of when I
Have shared a cup with friends and family.
Ah the taste brings me energy for the future
Ah, sharing brings me into communion with other like minded
Coffee drinkers who raise their mugs in thanks for a moment of joy.
SPM 3-31-09

New President

What a wonderful ceremony! My initial impression is that we have been charged to help the change that needs to happen take place. The new President has called us to work together, to see our common purpose. Too often we are divided,and when we are we are our weakest. It is when we can learn to work together that we overcome the problems in our world. It is time to put our foolish and childish ways behind, and work for peace.

A new President takes office

I am expecting to stay home tomorrow to watch the new President get sworn in. I will get up early and see it live. I am amazed that I have that much passion for this event, but on the other hand I can't help to celebrate this historic event, one I will remember for a long time to come. On this Martin Luther King Jr holiday, I imagine that Pastor Martin is smiling up in heaven. As someone who has been taught about the struggle for blacks in this country to obtain the civil rights that were afforded to those who were white and in power, I celebrate this elections victory over those forces that have kept us separate, unequal. I celebrate our ability to vote for the candidate who captured our imagination, who has a vision for the future, who is our first black President. I know we still have work to do. The forces that divide us will not disappear. We need to continue to learn how to overcome hate and prejudice, fear and turmoil. But for today, I celebrate this new day, and pray for our country with a glad heart.