Nehemiah

We have lost track of the days.

Grief and exhaustion have set in.

Tears continue to flow.

Weariness overtakes us.

How can I help has been asked?

Compassion has been given and received.

Connection in the isolation has come.

When Nehemiah hears the news of his beautiful holy city of Jerusalem lying ruins from war and fire he “sat down and wept”. He sat down for days and mourned, fasted and prayed “let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for you servants,” (Nehemiah 1:6).  

As we awoke to the reality of our beautiful, holy place of worship lying in ruins we sat down and wept. We wept for the longevity of saints that have gathered in the space. We wept for the loss of sacred space that has enveloped us all in love and holiness.  We wept for our friends and neighbors whose lives have been turned upside down. We wept. We began praying ever so gently and tenderly. Our prayers have merely a breath or sigh without the energy for words.  Our prayers have cried out in anger and frustration.  Words of thanksgiving have been uttered in the midst of the chaos.  All prayers rising like incense out of the ashes. 

In the midst of grief and heartache, Nehemiah made his way to his holy and precious city, not fully conscious of what he might encounter only with the fire within him that rebuilding had to take place.  After accessing the damage Nehemiah put out the call to come and join him in the rebuilding of the precious city.  Nehemiah found myself standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers who quickly became part of his abiding and supportive community.  Slowly and with trepidation, the community began to rebuild.  The journey was not without heartache and frustration.  The journey was long and tedious but a new city arose out of the ruble.

We are grieving.

We are broken.

We are exhausted.

We weep.

We stand together.