by Trisha Arlin (tweaked with permission)
Blessed Wholeness,
Our eyes are open wide
As we walk into our familiar sacred space,
Some of us for the first time in many months,
Some of us for the first time in over a year,
All of us for the first time since the renovations have been completed.
Colors are warmer,
The sanctuary feels at once larger and more intimate,
And the sounds of our voices, together, are luscious.
We swim in our profound appreciation for what we once took for granted
And we can’t stop smiling at our friends
And marveling at how good they look to us.
It’s so exciting!
And at last
We can pray and we will be heard
We can mourn and we will be seen.
We are not alone.
Blessed Holy Wholeness,
We give thanks and pray that we will remember how this felt
Next week
And next year
When we are bored.
When we are dissatisfied.
When we are not moved.
Look at us!
Here we are.
It is good.
Amen.