In the flood that is this life
some waters will sweep your home away
and others stop at your doorstep.
There is no choosing, no deserving
in their rising or receding.
On any given day one of us is picnicking,
another swimming for our lives.
For all of us some day waters will rise,
and with them,
beside us in the water, a reaching out,
above the swirling flood, a reaching out.
So many reaching out.
This is what we have to stand on.
(Adapted from Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes)
God of all creation, You have told us through the prophet Isaiah (43:2,4) that when we pass through the waters, You will be with us, and that even fire will not consume us. Help us to continue reaching out to those in need and to accept with humility the hands that continually reach out to us with encouragement and love.—AMEN.