I sat down yesterday to write my monthly letter to my congregation and decided that I was “all written out.” I have written so many words in the last several months–working on my Doctor of Ministry project and final thesis–that I felt like I had nothing left to say and perhaps that is still true. … Continue reading Paying Attention
The last several Sundays, I have been preaching from the Jeremiah texts, the weeping prophet that warned the Hebrew people about the exile they would experience in the days and years to come. They had been warned many times about living justly and lovingly as God instructed them to do, but they didn’t listen, and … Continue reading Hope in Exile
The time has come when I need to really consider that what I feel called to do in the completion of my doctorate degree is something that the church needs. When it comes right down to it, I know that it is important. It is something that I have felt drawn to for years. How can we … Continue reading The Time Has Come…
For the first time in my ministry, I did not make a big deal about today being Laetare Sunday—the pink Sunday of Lent. This is the Sunday in Lent for lessening of the strictness of fasting, the Sunday for rejoicing. I just didn’t have it in me. I wore my pink stole and didn’t mention it. … Continue reading I Wore My Pink Stole and Didn’t Mention It
What is it about a cup of coffee that speaks so loudly, so vibrantly to me? Is the fragrance that engulfs me before I even get the hot cup in my hands? It is the very smell that wakes me up and causes me to long for a cup of the hot comfort. Is it the … Continue reading Perhaps I could offer a cup of coffee to you
Where did you come from On this November morning There are no oak trees in sight Despite the name of the street Oakridge Drive And yet here you are Nestled in the midst of my Peace Lily Your colors called out Begging me to stop and notice It wasn’t difficult Because you are beautiful On … Continue reading A Wayward Oak Leaf
The Spirit’s crisp breeze Calls me into a morning Where birds have been Warbling And darting in and out Through the branches Of my beloved Locust tree Since before the sun’s rays Ventured to think about The possibility of Shimmering This corner Of the world Awake The Sun glow On the leaves Spring green in … Continue reading India in My Heart
There is something about the morning light at this time of the year that intrigues me and makes me smile. I love light at all times of the year, but the morning light, right now, in late winter, before the time changes and as we are just beginning to really notice how much the days have … Continue reading Chagall Light
I find myself Stopping this morning Over and over Just for a moment or two Closing my eyes Resting my chin And the heaviness of my heart And soul On my Hands Where my fingers are interlaced Into a shelf In these frequently occurring moments There is a stillness That falls upon me It is … Continue reading Stillness
I asked for a prayer For the new year One with just a few words That will match my breathing And will sing effortlessly In my heart And yours I wanted a prayer That I could feel so deeply As if you had pushed me deep Into a pool of water That I paint over … Continue reading I Asked for a Prayer
prayers of my heart, a collection of articles and writings by C. Alicia Randolph 