The story and original source for that project is here:
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Sunday Picture Prompt: Transformation
Sundays are traditionally a Sabbath from the observation and fasting of Lent. They are not counted in the 40 days. Instead of your usual writing prompt, on Sundays, a picture prompt will be posted. You can respond in the comments if you feel inspired.
The story and original source for that project is here:
(Note: A picture prompt was not posted last Sunday, so this is the first one)
The story and original source for that project is here:
Out of the blue, on Ebay I found a Nordland Lutheran plate from 1976, when I was pastor. Yes, I bought it. Doug Millar
ReplyDeletehttp://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ2M1gxNjAw/z/fUoAAOxyY3ZRk9xm/$T2eC16VHJHYFFkQcpMKHBRk9)mO+bw~~60_57.JPG
Here's the back which may be more interesting-
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/1IkAAOxydkZRk9xM/$T2eC16ZHJHcFFkZhJFSvBRk9)MYq5w~~60_57.JPG?rt=nc
Red and green and blue and yellow
ReplyDeleteEvery five years they painted that old church.
It was clock work,
Every fifth year.
They had been doing this for seventy five years
Forty years ago they had trouble.
They could not agree on the color.
White or ivory? They couldn't agree.
They argued until they were blue
And then they prayed.
Finally they decided to cast lots
And let that person choose.
White it was! Yea!
Five years later
They prayed anf cast lots again
And someone else chose the color
Yea!
Thirty five years later it was time to paint
So they had a party to cast lots
For the seventh time
The Peterson boy's name was drawn...
Richard was twenty three years old
But his mind had stopped at age seven.
Still a child...
The congregation had taken Richie on
And loved him
And accepted him as a child of God.
Then
When they asked him what color
They should paint the church...
And he said
"Blue and red and yellow and green
Cause God loves all of us"
They got very quiet.
They all turned and looked at each other.
Who would tell him
That that is not a church color?
Who would tell him
To try again?
They all waited, until from the back of the room
Bernice Walker a ninty two year old widow
Rose to her feet and said
"Yes God does love us all Richie
That's the best reason I've heard for having a church
Red and green and blue and yellow
Will remind me of that for the rest of my life
Let's go the paint store
I'm buying!
The congregation let it happen
Even though they were embarrassed at first.
But as they told their neighbors
the story of Richie
And as they told them that God loves everyone
They began to love those colors
And they came to
Love each other in new ways too
Richie had taught them
A very adult thing
By being Richie.
Yea!
This poem drew me in with the pacing, the story line, it's imagery. And all of it around such a powerful truth.
Deletewell said.
DeleteQuiet laughter. Bright-eyed wonder. Absorbing. Filling. Endless curiosity. Innocent mischief. Gentle. Kind. Caring. Uninhibited. Hugs. Kisses. Hide and seek. Tag. Bike rides. Catch. Tickle fights. Belly laughs. Bare feet in the grass. In the sand. In the icy water. In the warm water. Bubbles. Giggles. Soft cuddles. Goodnight Moon. I love you's. Contentment. Peace.
ReplyDeleteA look. A glare. A frown. A word. Many words. Misunderstanding. Misunderstood. Harsh. Angry. Hurt words. Hurting words. Isolating. Ignorant words. Fearful words. Tears. Pain. Confusion. Frustration. Blame. Guilt. Sorrow. Grief. Cruel. Bitter. Hard. Mistrustful. Scared. Scarred. Hardened.
The Word. Love.
Healed. Redeemed. Renewed. Forgiven. Forgiving. Freed. Accepted. Grafted. Adopted. Loved. Restored. Softened. Kinder. Gentler. Peaceful. Pleasure. Joy.
Transformed.
You've captured the paradox we live within.
DeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteLent 2, Sunday
ReplyDeleteHoly One’s House
(picture prompt)
Canvas for a mural,
Explosion of delight,
Invitation to life,
Joyful expression of grace,
Momentary story board,
Community gathering place, alive and well,
Outside captures a minute bit of inside wonder,
Permission from the Creator of All to rejoice,
Spirit’s whimsy and joyful presence,
Word Made Flesh encourages public risk taking,
How to use those partial paint buckets,
Which part of traditional don’t you get?
A really big statement of a flower sort,
Thanks be to Holy One for this place.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
12 March 2015