Daily Message and Prayer from Reverend Mary White
Good Day and Blessings
Recently, the words of Gene MacLellan’s song has been singing in my head,
“Put your hand in the hand of the man Who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man Who calmed the sea
Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently
Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.”
When I look at my hands, my mother comes to mind. I inherited her hands.
Two large squares with ten digits protruding, but very kind and gentle to the touch.
Her hands were dark and rough from doing hard work over the years. She told stories of her as a young child gathering along the railroad tracks, coal which had fallen from coal trains. Coal that was used to heat their small home where nine people lived. And then years later, I watched those same hands skillfully and gently with great speed, picking wild blueberries from bushes low to the ground. Now, there are times when I sense her spirit surrounding me and touching me with those gentle hands. It was my mother who put my hand “in the hand of the man from Galilee.”
POEM • Go to the Limits of Your Longing
– Rainer Maria Rilke
God speaks to each of us as God makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
Psalm 119:169-176 (MSG)
Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life! And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you’ve given is right. Put your hand out and steady me since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel. I’m homesick, God, for your rescue; I love it when you show yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.
Prayer Of The Day
Loving Spirit
as we wait for transformation, bring us joy filled days. Give us strength and purpose as we open our hands to share with those in need. Fill our heart with compassion and loving kindness toward those we have judged. Put fire in our soul so that we are prepared to support those treated unjustly. Wake us to our greatest potential as we continue to serve with love. We ask this in the name of the One who will not leave us and remains our Cornerstone.
Amen