God beyond borders

Home, sweet home.

In three weeks I should be fast asleep in my wee bed in Larne, Northern Ireland.

Right now, this thought brings a sense of excitement and grief. I love my home, my family and my friends. However, I will be leaving behind another home, family and friends in Nashville.

It seems to early to write a blog on goodbyes, so that will have to wait. For now, I want to share this poem by Kathy Galloway.

This is my prayer tonight. I'll blog soon.

Ashley

God beyond borders

we bless you for strange places

and different dreams

for the demands and diversity

of a wider world

for the distance

that lets us look back and re-evaluate

for new ground

where the broken stems can take root,

grow and blossom.

We bless you

for the friendship of strangers

the richness of other cultures

and the painful gift of freedom

Blessed are you,

God beyond borders.

But if we have overlooked

the exiles in our midst

heightened their exclusion

by our indifference

given our permission

for a climate of fear

and tolerated a culture of violence

Have mercy on us,

God who takes side with justice,

confront our prejudice

stretch our narrowness

sift out our laws and our lives

with the penetrating insight

of your spirit

until generosity is our only measure.

Kathy Galloway