In Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver, we find one of Oliver’s most well-known poems—a reflection on prayer. As always, she has a way of capturing the truth in such a succinct and beautiful way.

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

For the past several weeks, I’ve found it difficult to fill this space with a meaningful meditation. It’s been difficult to string a few words together. My mind’s been full of lots of nascent thoughts—lots of weeds and vacant spaces, but nothing that’s blossomed into a full-grown meditation. So I like the way Oliver describes prayer. That prayer doesn’t have to be flashy. Sometimes it’s just enough to offer up space—a doorway to give thanks and a silence in which another voice may speak.

This is my prayer for you and for us. I pray we open ourselves up to the Divine. Let us offer up what we have whether it’s a blue iris or a dandelion knowing that it’s beautiful to God, and that God can make sense of it.

In Love,
Pastor Annette