December  8, 2022

Psalm 146:5-10; Ruth 1:6-18; 2 Peter 3:1-10

An Invitation for Meditation

The scriptures for today describe in various ways a wide range of difficult circumstances that may arise in life. God’s helping hand is a thread running through the scriptures as well. The poem below suggests a path toward acceptance and even joy in the face of life’s hard seasons. As part of your Advent reflection, think about your own way of dealing with difficulties and hard events. Have you seen God’s hand helping you along? It might be helpful to make a few notes about times you have felt or seen God’s intervention, even through something as small as unexpected laughter!

Old Folks Laugh

They have spent their

content of simpering,

holding their lips this

and that way, winding

the lines between

their brows. Old folks

allow their bellies to jiggle like slow

tambourines.

The hollers

rise up and spill

over any way they want.

When old folks laugh, they free the world.

They turn slowly, slyly knowing

the best and the worst

of remembering.

Saliva glistens in

the corners of their mouths,

their heads wobble

on brittle necks, but

their laps

are filled with memories.

When old folks laugh, they consider the promise

of dear painless death, and generously

forgive life for happening

to them.

Maya Angelou

Beth Robrecht