When the World’s On Fire

When the world’s on fire.

Yesterday’s hope and fragile peace,

in ashes today.

Anger, fear, distrust—

the toxic fumes rising from these

desolate ruins of our unity.

Discouragement taunts,

seeking to have it’s way.

What steps do we take,

which direction do we go,

to move forward?

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“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.”

✨

Saint Francis of Assisi,

his words sing to us—

of Peace. Love. Pardon.

Faith. Hope. Light.

Joy.

These realities of life.

Anchors for the soul,

that make the hard days worth living.

In Truth—healing will come to the land

and to her people.

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“O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen."

✨

Enduring.

We smile. We cry.

One hand reaches for another—

to give of ourselves,

and to receive.

To forgive.

This is the key.

Finding courage and sweet hope—

together.

Did you pray these words for us,

Saint Francis of Assisi?

A whimsical thought, perhaps.

But thank you.