Grief’s Quagmire

Disoriented madness pounced
Like a ravenous, feral cat.
Yesterday’s wisdom vanished
And I can scarcely remember my name
The time of day
Or that my loved one is dead.

Lead my gently, friend
Help me make decisions
That have never come my way.
Listen to my repetitive babble
And know my sanity is still buried deep within.
Let me thank you
Again and again,
Scream in your presence
Cry until my eyes dry heave.
Let me be
And simply accept me,
Care for me.
Let me grieve in my own way
For this is the only way I know.
When the time seems right,
Gently suggest ways
Of remembering and honoring
Sorting and sifting
That I might try.

Hold my hand and listen to my fear
Stay with me when relatives depart
And the monsters of aloneness
Ring the doobell
A hundred suitcases in their hands.

© December 30, 2008   Cynthia Langston Kirk

Proper 20B/Ordinary 25B/ Pentecost 16

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Competition focuses on who is

People: the fastest, the brightest, the wealthiest.

Leader: Competition encourages

People: the largest congregation, the best-sounding choir, state-of-the-art everything.

Leader: Competition promotes long hours of getting ahead

People: and little time for being still and knowing God.

Leader: Jesus said that to be first

People: one must be a servant.

Leader: And Jesus exemplified that to show hospitality

People: one must welcome and care for those who are young, frail, marginalized, unable to care for themselves.

Leader: Let us open ourselves to God.

People: Let us learn the ways of Wisdom.

 CALL TO RECONCILIATION

Think about your day, your week. How have you reflected God’s light? How have you missed the mark? Let us spend time in silent reflection.

 A Time of Silent Prayer

 PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION

When we were young, O God, we wanted to sit in the best seat or be the first one selected. We remain too often like the disciples and want to be greatest, first and sit in the place of honor. We concern ourselves with the view from a mirror instead of binoculars. Forgive our narrow-mindedness and our stingy hearts. Lead us into the way of Jesus, the servant, in whose name we pray. Amen.

© September 2009  Cynthia Langston Kirk

What songs do you sing to children that tell them you love them? that God loves them?

One of the songs I nearly always sing to our goddaughter Willa (now 22 months old) is “Jesus Loves Me” only I substitute Willa for me. Recently I sang “Jesus loves” and she said, “Willa.”

Oh, if we could all grow up knowing that God loves us and that we are a gift!

Here are lyrics I’ve written for curious, joyful Sophia. Change it up for the child(ren) in your life.

                                            This and That

Soooophia happy Soooophia

Sooooophia moves and laughs all day

She will look at this and that

Pig and squirrel and dog and cat

This and that

Dog and cat

Ooooooohhhhhh!

Sooophia happy Sooophia

Sooooophia special gift from God.

Soooophia happy Soooophia

Sooooophia moves and laughs all day

She will run to this and that

Climb a tree and swing a bat

This and that

Tree and bat

Ooooooohhhhhh!

Sooophia happy Sooophia

Sooooophia special gift from God.

Can be sung to the tune of Alouette

For multiple children words can be changed to “Our children, happy, happy children/ Our children move and laugh all day/They…”

Finally, I’m honoring our daughter’s request to write songs for our youngest granddaughter. I was always creating lyrics when our daughter was little. Of course, they were very, very simple and put to the melody of a familiar song.  How about creating lyrics for your own child or grandchild or any special young person in your life?

                                      Love You So

Sophia, Momma (or Daddy or Grandma, etc.) loves you so

From your hair down to your toes

When you smile, it lights the world

You are our sweet, precious girl

Sophia, Momma (or Daddy) loves you so

From your hair down to your toes.

Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Holy One, you are loving

Full of mercy, full of good

We praise you by the lives we live

And thank you for this food. Amen.

 © August 2009  Cynthia Langston Kirk

For the One who is

            Laughter and love

            Justice and peace

            Seeking and discovering

            Healing and grace

            And the Bread of Life

We give thanks today. Amen.

 © August 2009  Cynthia Langston Kirk

Proper 19B/ Ordinary 24B/ Pentecost 15

CALL TO WORSHIP

 Leader: Sophia, God’s Holy Wisdom, cries out in the streets

People: And we hurry by, ignoring her message.

Leader: She calls out, striving to teach us

People: And we believe we know better.

Leader: On the busiest corner of the city she preaches and prophesies

People: And we fill our ears with greed and self-interest.

Leader: Open our ears, our hearts, our lives, O God

People: That we may comprehend Wisdom’s word today.

CALL TO RECONCILIATION

Has every word that left your mouth this week been hopeful and helpful? Have you spoken courageous words, tender words, words of advocacy for those who need help? Let us confess the times we were cowardly or thoughtless or arrogant.

 PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION

Holy God, how quick we are to speak when you encourage silence and to be silent when you call us to be witnesses to your mercy. How often we use our tongue to complain or speak ill of others instead of joining creation in declaring your glory. Give us the wisdom to be silent when helpful and the courage to speak up and out with our words, our hospitality, our compassion, our lives. Forgive us when we fail and free us by your forgiveness to begin anew. Grateful for Wisdom’s companionship we pray. Amen.

 © September 2009    Cynthia Langston Kirk