Streams of Mercy

Maya Angelou’s poem “Continue” has much to say to us as we deal with the many challenges of these days:

“My wish for you Is that you continue

Continue

To be who and how you are

To astonish a mean world

With your acts of kindness

Continue

In a society dark with cruelty

To let the people hear the grandeur

Of God in the peals of your laughter

Continue

To remind the people that

Each is as good as the other

And that no one is beneath

Nor above you

Continue

To put the mantel of your protection

Around the bodies

of the young and defenseless

Continue

To take the hand of the despised

And diseased and walk proudly with them

In the high street

Some might see you and

Be encouraged to do likewise

Continue

To plant a public kiss of concern

On the cheek of the sick

And the aged and infirm

And count that as a

Natural action to be expected

Continue

To let gratitude be the pillow

Upon which you kneel to

Say your nightly prayer

And let faith be the bridge

You build to overcome evil

and welcome good.

Continue”

May God help us never to give up hope; let us “continue” to work together for a better world, praying for those streams of mercy, never ceasing.

Elizabeth