Dear Winn – 12 November 2016

Dear Winn:
I’ll be brief. I’ve started this letter a couple of times, then petered out. Maybe this third time will be charmed, although I must say the word “charm” seems alien in light of this week, a quaint noun we’ve no use for anymore. But it may be that we need that word, or words very much like it, more than ever right now. At least I believe it oughta be on the language-list we’re creating of best words to use as we learn how to speak to one another again. I would be more than fine if someday, hopefully far into the future, a friend stands at my graveside and says, “That John was a charmer.”
 
I find myself in the utterly exhausted middle, my friend. The cannons to the left and right of me firing off round after round of certitude. Then there are those who attach God’s name to what’s going on, and even God’s will to what’s going on. I believe anyone with one eye and horse sense who has actually read the Bible has to admit we don’t have a clue as to what God is or isn’t up to. If nothing else the season on our near horizon – Advent – should remind us of God’s foolish, foolish ways. And our proven track record of missing them.
 
Although I’m not sure my prayers amount to a hill of beans, I will be praying for you tomorrow as you stand before the people and use the words of faith, hope, and love. There will be people in your congregation, as there will be in ours, who are feeling fearful for their very lives right now. And while I hope that fear is addressed with words, I’ve a hunch the greater Sunday message may be communicated through the charm of communion. As we drink from the common cup and break from the common loaf, our hopes and fears of the fragile now can mingle with one another and can somehow, someway be mixed with the magical mercies of our God, and then taken into our very selves. Drink deeply, pal. I plan to.
 
Coraggio.
John 
 

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11 Comments

  1. Simply Darlene on November 12, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Sir, I’m glad you took your time finding all the right words and emotions for this letter. It’s not only reflective of His mercy, but also honest and gracious.

    Blessings.

  2. Steph E on November 12, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    Your words slip into my inbox every so often, and are always a breath of relief & peace. Don’t stop.

    • thebeautifuldue on November 12, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      I’m grateful you took the time to comment, Steph. Thank you.

  3. Judy on November 12, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    Sweet communion
    Yes and Amen.

  4. Sue on November 13, 2016 at 12:29 am

    Poets and preachers and penners like you and Winn seem to find the words that speak truth and bring hope and gather us together. It’s no small thing, winsome evidence of mercy indeed. Keep on John Blasé.

  5. Cherry on November 13, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    So many are in the middle. I wonder how many? But I know Love is the answer.

  6. La Vonne Glanville on November 14, 2016 at 3:54 am

    Thank you for your words…. there are few no nice words indeed to describe these times. It is beyond my deepest understanding (which is not very deep, I’m afraid) why any person who is a follower of Jesus would vote for a man of such immorality and unethical behavior and actions as the man who was elected president. Utterly confusing and shameful. I, as a believer, am so ashamed of our nation right now! I can only say God, whom I love, IS LOVE!

  7. RW on November 16, 2016 at 2:39 am

    “I’ve a hunch the greater Sunday message may be communicated through the charm of communion. As we drink from the common cup and break from the common loaf, our hopes and fears of the fragile now can mingle with one another and can somehow, someway be mixed with the magical mercies of our God, and then taken into our very selves. ”

    Never stop writing. This was so true of my Sunday. Thank you, as always, for your words.

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