When I worked in children’s ministry, I facilitated a unique, Montessori-style children’s worship experience called Young Children in Worship. At the core of the worship experience was a dedicated space for wondering. After encountering the Scriptures for the day, children were invited to ask their questions of the text. They were invited to wonder. WonderingContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “Encounter””
Tag Archives: Poetry
Poetry Friday: “Making a Fist”
This summer, I had my older three children read Naomi Shihab Nye’s novel Habibi about a girl who moves to Palestine. We had studied the culture and geography of the eastern hemisphere in social studies this past school year, and I’m always looking for literary connections. Rob and I always wanted our children to understandContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “Making a Fist””
Poetry Friday: “When Great Trees Fall”
Welcome to Poetry Friday! Today we journey through grief with Maya Angelou. I love the cadence of her words and her connection to the natural world. As I reflect on the early days after Rob’s death, Angelou’s description of grief especially rings true to me. I wonder where you find yourself in today’s poem. DoesContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “When Great Trees Fall””
Poetry Friday: “Club Sorrow”
Grief can be such an isolating experience. I talk to so many people who feel ostracized from their social networks after the death of a loved one. It is challenging to navigate relationships with a heavy burden of sorrow, and many bereaved people feel abandoned by those they considered close friends. They find that theirContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “Club Sorrow””
Poetry Friday: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep”
“Death is real; there is no need to say that because our loved one is in heaven, death doesn’t exist.” Rob Moll, The Art Of Dying: Living Fully Into The Life To Come Today’s Poetry Friday poem was penned in 1932 as the United States shifted away from its Victorian-era fascination with death toward a death-phobicContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep””
Poetry Friday: “God Speaks To Each Of Us As He Makes Us”
I have always loved the picture of God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden. They enjoyed such intimate conversation and fellowship. God spoke them into existence and never stopped talking. In this poem, Rainer Maria Rilke gives words to God as we walk together with him through this life. Grief provokes all kindsContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “God Speaks To Each Of Us As He Makes Us””
Poetry Friday: “From Blossoms”
One of my favorite Rob-isms was “It’s all about death and resurrection.” He’d often quote John 12:24 when he said it. Here in New England, we’re on the cusp of summer. The world is in full bloom. All of those seeds that fell to the ground last fall are coming up as flowers in gorgeousContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “From Blossoms””
Poetry Friday: “The Gift to Sing”
In 2018, after our cross-country move, I started a Spotify playlist I called “Life Songs.” I was deeply grieving the loss of my home and community, and I needed music that pointed me to hope. Over the last two years, I’ve added to that playlist until it’s almost eight hours long. A full work day’sContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “The Gift to Sing””
Poetry Friday: “God’s Grief”
With everything happening in the world right now, I’ve been thinking of these words of Genesis 6: The Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. The first time grief is ever mentioned in the Bible, God is the one who is doing it. Only six chapters intoContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “God’s Grief””
Poetry Friday: “The Thing Is”
After a tough week, these are the words I have needed. Encouragement to pursue love and life, even as I think, “How can a body withstand this?” I love the way that Ellen Bass describes receiving life in the midst of grief. No flushed cheeks or starry eyes. That kind of love is from aContinue reading “Poetry Friday: “The Thing Is””