a blessing for givers who need to receive
Oh God you see them,
the ones who are overwhelmed–
the caregivers and workers,
Zoom warriors and parents–
all those who are givers
whose greatest need now
is just to be able to receive.
God come in Your power
come in Your tenderness
to bring the help
and relief they need.
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
Be assured,
that nothing you do for him
is ever lost or ever wasted.
1 Corinthians 15:58
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
O God,
they have worked
so hard for so long,
struggling to shore up
the damage from hardship,
isolation, sickness and want.
They have given
and given and given,
yet the needs keep coming.
And God, sometimes
there really is nothing extra
no more resources,
no last minute reprieve,
and the suffering goes on.
O God,
you see that one who is alone
in the work and the responsibility,
in the shifting of all that rubble,
the clearing away
of the debris of calamity.
God you see them
beginning to weaken,
beginning to collapse on the inside.
O God blessed are we who pray
that You would send
actual support in human form,
to bring all that they need for rest
and the renewed resilience
that will make it possible
to fulfill the beautiful purposes
to which they are called.
And blessed are we
who consider well,
how to play our part too.
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up
out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide,
and I will fill it.
Psalm 81:10 RSV
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Spirit have mercy.
Be blessed to receive.
Then find that giver
whose strength is low.
And be blessed to give.
Go and enjoy choice food
and sweet drinks,
and send some to those
who have nothing prepared.
This day is holy to our Lord.
Do not grieve, for the joy
of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10