A Prayer for Thanksgiving

"Prayer"
by Maya Angelou

Father, Mother, God,
Thank you for your presence
during the hard and mean days.
For then we have you to lean upon.

Thank you for your presence
during the bright and sunny days,
for then we can share that which we have
with those who have less.

And thank you for your presence
during the Holy Days, for then we are able
to celebrate you and our families
and our friends.

For those who have no voice,
we ask you to speak.

For those who feel unworthy,
we ask you to pour your love out
in waterfalls of tenderness.

For those who live in pain,
we ask you to bathe them
in the river of your healing.

For those who are lonely, we ask
you to keep them company.

For those who are depressed,
we ask you to shower upon them
the light of hope.

Dear Creator,
You, the borderless sea of substance,
we ask you to give to all the world
that which we need most --
Peace.

Four and a half years ...

I love to make Treasure Maps. I do one every year with a group of wonderful women.

A few years ago, I took a serious look at what I wanted in a relationship, and then I created a Treasure Map. "I am Thriving in my Loving Relationship" was in the center of the Map. I wanted to find the love of my life.

And four and a half years ago, after trading emails on Match.Com for a few days, I agreed to meet "DRRB" at the movie theater in Arden Fair Mall.

We shook hands upon first greeting -- I knew right away he was someone special. We hugged at the end of our movie date, and agreed to see each other again. And again. And again!

And today is the 54-month anniversary of that movie date.

Thank you, God, for this wonderful love!

And thank you, Rich, for being such an amazing part of my life!

Jeri

Saddened ...

I am so sorry to see that the California voters have adopted Prop. 8, and chosen to ban same-sex marriages. I believe the heavy fear tactics used by the "Yes on 8" backers caused this unfortunate decision.

Many years ago I was introduced to A Course in Miracles, and learned one of THE most important lessons of my life. To paraphrase, love and fear cannot coexist; we either approach (and respond to) situations from a foundation of love, or from a foundation of fear.

I believe fear is the motivator that approved Prop. 8.

I will continue to greet life from a love-based perspective. I believe that's what my higher power expects of me.

I will continue to treat people the way I want to be treated. (The Golden Rule has always been my credo.)

And yes, that means I will continue to perform ceremonies for same-sex couples.

Love is love. And it does not discriminate. Nor will I.

Sincerest blessings,
Rev. Jeri