Pilgrimage West
Week Ten
Despite our resolution to avoid cities, we ventured into San Francisco - after all the Atlanta Braves were in town to play the San Francisco Giants! A great stadium – wonderful views of the water – and the Braves won…
I have ventured further than I ever imagined….I have walked more than I anticipated…I have been overwhelmed more than I can recount…
I am reminded of the words of the psalmist, who also seemed to be overwhelmed at the goodness and glory of God’s wonderful creation:
Psalm 104:24-25, 30 (NRSV)
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, the psalm begins, as well as ends. The Spirit renews all, and binds up together as we attempt to love and live together in community.
This journey west comes to a close, but the pilgrimage of life flows forward as surely as the Spirit leads. I hope that these ramblings and pictures have been meaningful to you, and kept us connected in this onward walk we share together.
The remainder of my sabbatical will be spent traveling back to NC, connecting with family, and continuing my S3 commitment (a three year program of peer study / work, which is named for the three components identified as being key to effective ministry—Sabbath, study, and service) with my group in Montreat and at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Your prayers, your encouragement, your support has made this journey possible – I will be forever grateful.
Thanks be to God.
