Free us, Lord, from every chain : except the love that binds us to your way.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8

And taking a long walk is not magical, and does not, in itself, change much except for your socks. But it does create space around you, maybe inside of you, and with space and light, things can happen to us. Things grow, things breathe and dead things can dry up and turn back into soil and dust. -Scott Coverdale

Guide my feet while I run this race. 

Guide my feet while I run this race.
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don't want to run this race in vain! - African American Spiritual 

For it is in giving that we receive.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. Francis of Assisi

Yesterday's lunch of a traditional pork sandwich and now traditional bare feet in the grass overlooking the spaciousness had this question: how do we go about serving others in humility and love, not to be seen by men or to make ourselves feel worthy?

How to walk out the stillness and space of today in the world to which we are returning?

How can more be changed than just our socks?

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. -Francis of Assisi

And it will not be so much the stories we tell or the deep thoughts we share; it has all been said before.

Rather if we can return with light in our footsteps and a smile in our opened eyes. To plant seeds of hope in soil that has been cleared of tangled weeds, enriched with old truths, and tossed up high into the fresh wind.

Lord, open our eyes to see that the fruit of life comes when we plant seeds of hope among those whom the world rejects. Amen.