Taking Stock - The Blog of the Rev. Sylvia A. Stocker : Taking Stock

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ice Fishing

Just over the bridge to Topsham, you can look to the far side of the Androscoggin River and see quite a collection of ice fishing shacks.

I have never gone ice fishing but I suspect there must be something magical about it to inspire such a community to gather. And while I can easily imagine my feet turning to blocks of ice while I waited for the fish to bite, there is something about the metaphor of ice fishing that I find quite appealing.

Maybe it's the spring time spirit in me longing for an easing of the cold and damp. Maybe it's the hopeful idealist in me that believes any frozen heart can melt in the right circumstances. Whatever it is, the ice fishing shacks remind me of the indomitable human spirit. People may endure their wounds and erect their icy barriers. But on the other side of their frozen defenses, the heart survives -- may even thrive -- and swims in the waters of life.

The question is: How do we cut holes in the ice? What bait would entice our hearts to come to the surface?

Posted By Default Admin At 8:54 PM •

Monday, February 09, 2009

A Prayer for Difficult Times

A Prayer for Difficult Times, Sylvia A. Stocker

In the quiet, let us gather our hearts, many hearts beating, many people dreaming, many souls yearning for peace, for freedom from worry, for assurance of a brighter tomorrow.

We gather in difficult times.

Swelling numbers of people unemployed, hungry, afraid.

Swelling numbers of people living under the shadow of war and violence.

We gather in difficult times.

Here, in the quiet of our assembly, here in shared warmth and compassion, just for this moment, may we feel free of our burdens. May we breathe in together, gathering in peace. And may we breathe out together, letting go of worry and fear. (Breathe…)

Just for this moment, may we feel quietness of heart. May we breathe in together, gathering in gentleness. May we breathe out together, letting go of frustration and anger. (Breathe...)

Just for this moment, may we feel held in a community of loving souls. May we breathe in together, gathering in support and caring. May we breathe out together, letting go of loneliness and isolation.

Just for this moment, may we sit together, one community of peaceful, quiet, loving souls, buoyed by our shared strength and spirits. Just for this moment, may we know in our hearts that we are not alone.

Amen.

Posted By Default Admin At 2:32 PM • Trackbacks (119)