Monday, August 27, 2007

My dearest God,

I have looked sorrow in the face today. I sat in a courtroom as a man plead guilty to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a church. I sat in the galley with members of the church he betrayed. I sat behind the church's pastor, my colleague and friend. I watched his expression, witnessed his and their hurt. I saw sorrow on every face.

And on my way home I spoke with another person whose voice of sorrow was like those I had just left behind. Guttural sobs erupting from the deepest place.

I could only offer comfort. My hugs at the courthouse and listening to pain was the best I could do. Both by my presence and later on the phone. A promise to pray.

Even as I prepare myself for bed tonight, I feel the sorrow of all. Twenty some odd people, all hurting in a variety of ways. I am praying. It's all I can do.

I looked sorrow
in the face today.
I heard it
in voices.
The psalmist spoke,
"mourning may tarry
for a night,
but joy comes
in the morning."
I don't think
any one person
will discover joy
in the morning.
Perhaps relief,
a release,
maybe a surrender
but no joy.
Comfort
was all
I could offer today.

Love, Andrea