prayers of my heart, a collection of articles and writings by C. Alicia Randolph

Last week I encountered a feeling that I never, ever imagined that I could feel, and the encounter left me feeling shaken and uncertain in a time of uncertainty.  I felt doom.  Doom.  As Dictionary.com defines, I felt “unavoidable ill fortune” and for a moment or two or a hundred, I did not see any way or anything … Continue reading From Doom…to Hope

A Sermon for June 14, 2020 First United Methodist, Parkersburg, WV Genesis 18:1-15 I remember very little about my maternal grandmother, Ruby Mae Arthurs Oliphant.  When I was quite young, she suffered several strokes and spent the last five years of her life bedridden, unable to talk or communicate.  My mother said that really, she had not … Continue reading Extravagant Hospitality

Yesterday, the news reports of the lynching of George Floyd filled my newsfeed and my head and heart. I longed for words to cry out, to demand justice, to scream STOP! NO MORE! I wanted words to proclaim that we cannot continue to allow this brutality to happen to our Black brothers and sisters. No … Continue reading I Walked A Labyrinth

Today is Monday.  During these pandemic days, when my schedule has been turned upside down, thrown up in the air, and often landed in unpredictable ways, Monday has become a catch-up day for me.  Today started off bright and beautiful, with sun shining and busy birds singing and calling back and forth across the trees … Continue reading A Tired, Old Locust and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker

During these pandemic days, I have been pondering a question:  What does it mean for me to be a witness for my faith?  The question emerged as I was thinking about the first martyr Stephen and his witness and I was thinking about it in the midst of a pandemic week that was filled with … Continue reading Pondering a Question:  What does it mean to be a witness?

For Earth Day 2020 Earlier this week, I braved the grocery store in the midst of the pandemic that rages throughout our planet, this 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  My face mask covered me so that at times I couldn’t really see all that was in front of me.  I managed with a few adjustments.  … Continue reading In Praise of Dandelions:  A reflection on the real resurrection flower

  I long to give to you  the Daffodils That are standing unburdened In my new favorite vase They are dappled With the morning light Shimmering a blessing of promise For days to come after these days of horror And strife     There are so many That need my attention So many that need … Continue reading Watching Daffodils

    It is the Ides of March A day to beware To look over my shoulder With darting eyes Taking in all That might pose danger   I am not Julius Caesar The one who received that warning But on this Ides of March There is caution all around me as Fear boldly offers … Continue reading A Study in Hyacinths

Tell me your story Again And again Until I hear it Just as you need to hear it   Paint me your story In broad, sweeping strokes With colors  Bold and sharp Muted and dull Distinctive and blurred   Paint me your story In minute strokes With colors That refuse to cover up The bits … Continue reading Paint me your story