From “Hope Through Heartsongs” –

FOR OUR WORLD – Written September 2001

We need to stop.

Just stop.

Stop for a moment…

Before anybody

Says or does anything

That may hurt anyone else.

We need to be silent.

Just silent.

Silent for a moment…

Before we forever lose

The blessing of songs

That grow in our hearts.

We need to notice.

Just notice.

Notice for a moment…

Before the future slips away

Into ashes and dust of humility.

Stop, be silent, and notice…

In so many ways, we are the same.

Our differences are unique treasures,

We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts

To nurture, to offer, to accept.

We need to be.

Just be.

Be for a moment…

Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting.

Like children and lambs.

Never judging or vengeful

Like the judging and vengeful.

And now, let us pray.

Differently, yet together,

Before there is no earth, no life,

No chance for peace.