Silence…

We called off worship Sunday.

Collectively, 13 gathered elders said, “It is too dangerous.”

We called off worship Sunday.

I hope we saved a broken hip or worse. There was ice everywhere.

I, alone, will never call off worship.

Someone reminded me I had said that.

Then I reminded them that we are community and the community decided this was for the best.

Having said that, I say this:

The musical voice of joy was silenced.

Crumbs of salvation did not fall from breaking bread.

Righteousness by the thimbleful was not sipped.

Our hearts could not chorus, “Amen.”

Shekels and drachma were not released as seeds of proclamation and compassion.

Prayers were uncollected as only the gathered can do.

Words that teach and elicit a deep desire for peace hovered in silent souls.

People of the pew could not sit distracted by the world, safe knowing God is with us.

Kind words to soften the blow were trapped under the ice.

Children could not sit crossed legged to hear THEIR story.

A lesson prepared, hovered in a teacher’s consciousness.

Faith candles needed not be extinguished.

I cannot comprehend what we lose when the blessed saints of God cannot gather together to seek his face.

Moving to the deeper places,
Jeff