For Those Who Have Far to Travel
An Epiphany Blessing
An Epiphany Blessing
~Jan L. Richardson
If you could see
the journey whole
you might never
undertake it;
might never dare
the first step
that propels you
from the place
you have known
toward the place
you know not.
the journey whole
you might never
undertake it;
might never dare
the first step
that propels you
from the place
you have known
toward the place
you know not.
Call it
one of the mercies
of the road:
that we see it
only by stages
as it opens
before us,
as it comes into
our keeping
step by
single step.
one of the mercies
of the road:
that we see it
only by stages
as it opens
before us,
as it comes into
our keeping
step by
single step.
There is nothing
for it
but to go
and by our going
take the vows
the pilgrim takes:
for it
but to go
and by our going
take the vows
the pilgrim takes:
to be faithful to
the next step;
to rely on more
than the map;
to heed the signposts
of intuition and dream;
to follow the star
that only you
will recognize;
the next step;
to rely on more
than the map;
to heed the signposts
of intuition and dream;
to follow the star
that only you
will recognize;
to keep an open eye
for the wonders that
attend the path;
to press on
beyond distractions
beyond fatigue
beyond what would
tempt you
from the way.
for the wonders that
attend the path;
to press on
beyond distractions
beyond fatigue
beyond what would
tempt you
from the way.
There are vows
that only you
will know;
the secret promises
for your particular path
and the new ones
you will need to make
when the road
is revealed
by turns
you could not
have foreseen.
that only you
will know;
the secret promises
for your particular path
and the new ones
you will need to make
when the road
is revealed
by turns
you could not
have foreseen.
Keep them, break them,
make them again:
each promise becomes
part of the path;
each choice creates
the road
that will take you
to the place
where at last
you will kneel
make them again:
each promise becomes
part of the path;
each choice creates
the road
that will take you
to the place
where at last
you will kneel
to offer the gift
most needed—
the gift that only you
can give—
before turning to go
home by
another way.
most needed—
the gift that only you
can give—
before turning to go
home by
another way.
Today we talked about Epiphany in church. Epiphany is when the wise men took their trip to visit the baby Jesus. We were asked what star we were going to follow this year. I chose peace and kindness. The idea for kindness was not original. Kindness, a January Kindness Initiative, was mentioned. Searching the interweb I found this: "We want to hear about personal experiences, about individuals who have made a difference; small but significant acts that has impacted someone’s day, week or life.". It was mentioned that we need to be aware of the kindness in our lives. Of course I need to show kindness to others, but the discussion concentrated on the kindness we are given and often ignore or take for granted. During January I will not take kindness for granted.
Today's Kindness
A little girl in the grocery store parking lot noticed me waiting for her and her mother and signaled her mother. Of course I understood that her mother was trying to get the little one in the car, but the little sister was showing concern (kindness) for my waiting. Kind and Cute!
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