Every Living Soul

November 12, 2024
Beloved:

“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you;
    let the birds tell you what’s going on.
Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics.
    Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.
Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree
    that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand--
Every living soul, yes,
    every breathing creature?
Isn’t this all just common sense,
    as common as the sense of taste?

          Every living soul, every breathing creature . . . one of those creatures is snorting and snuffling at my feet, her big furry body quivering.  She’ll soon be legging the air, chasing the squirrels who haunt her dreams. 
          Every living soul, every breathing creature . . . a bluejay high in the cedar shrieking his morning shriek.  His friend a good ways over is shrieking back in response.
          Every living soul, every breathing creature . . .     the littles gathering at the bus stop, backpacks over jackets now, tiny versions of the college students they will someday be.  But now with so much color, so much energy.
          All of it multiplied a thousand times over, all around the world ~ Every living soul, every breathing creature.
          The more things change the more they stay the same.  Creation’s persistence against humanity’s poor judgment.  Life insists on living.  We can pour concrete two feet deep and the dandelion will push through and bloom.
          So long as I write and walk and hold the babies, read my Bible and sit with the silence, do my work and rest, take it very, very easy on the news and social media, I can stay in touch with where I am, the hollow of his hand.  I am smaller than small and I am not alone in this fine world where birds, babies and dandelions persist despite the temperamental poverty of human imagination and faith.
          Every living soul, every breathing creature . . . We are here.  We are together.  We share more in common with our neighbors than we don’t.  If we can lead from our hearts instead of our hurt, I’ve every hope and faith we can do the work of following Jesus, no matter what each day brings.
          I’m so grateful to be in the work with you all.

~ peace & prayers, 
pastor annette