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One BIG blessing of 2020 is that many of us found perhaps unexpected and unplanned ways to slow down our lives and our daily activities. We had to decide what was most important in our lives, and those things that perhaps we didn't need to continue doing.
When I thought of "a blessing" to share with you today, I was reminded of the choral anthem composed by Martin Shaw -- the title of this anthem is simply, "A Blessing." Knowing that this anthem was written in 1927, please excuse the two references to "men" and realize that Mr. Shaw did indeed mean all people...
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all men; Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain with you forever. Amen.
I looked through the list of choral anthems we possess here at First Lutheran Church, and I found two other "blessing" anthems -- A Celtic Blessing and A Parting Blessing -- both of which contain the same text:
May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine warm upon your face; may the sun fall soft upon your fields;
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I'm not even Irish or Celtic, and I just love the sentiment of that particular blessing.
Perhaps you can share a blessing with someone close to you this coming week, or perhaps someone will share a blessing with you. In any case, God will bless you AND them!!
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