a prophetic voice-

I suspect it is often through our own   self-reflection in life's fun house mirror   with its distortions and trickery   making us believe that what we see   is real- and true- and so,       worth defending zealously, unaware       and uncaring that       she sees a different image,       he experiences a different truth...   and instead of driving us to our knees,   this perceived holiness        drives us to war with one another,        while Divinity weeps...

I love Sundays. I just returned from walking to the public library, about five and one- half blocks from my house. Not only was the library quiet, with far fewer people than on a weekday, but the streets were quiet. Few cars, no other pedestrians. I had that lovely walk under a Carolina blue sky all to myself, and I found myself thinking about this peace and quiet which so feeds my spirit. Now, don't get me wrong: I love people. Came away from worship this morning feeling blessed and energized, cared for and seen and recognized by so many dear, dear people there. I had a conversation with someone I had not met before and several with people who have been in my life for years. I nearly floated to my car for the drive- the very brief drive- home. Wonderful. Lovely. Life-affirming. But my solitary walk this afternoon was exactly what my spirit needed after the energy-draining experience of this morning. For you see, as much as I loved every moment...