Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter | Pastor Rev. Brad Sheppard, Immanuel Presbyterian Church
“Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jeremiah 6:16
We had a terrific Pastor’s Retreat at the Jesuit Spiritual Center recently. Facilitated by Rev. Becky Bosarge and Elder Diane Kinsella, the theme was about “Crossroads” – where oh so many of us find ourselves. There were times of conversation, times of meditation, times of fun, times of walking, and a meditative craft to build a cairn. Cairns mark walking paths the world over, and we build them to remind us of the paths we walk and The One Who guides us on the path He would have us walk.
Reverend Brad Sheppard wrote a poem after attending – so beautiful, and captured so perfectly the day.
I took a step…then another
from the familiar to the unknown
I took a step…then another
until the path diverged
I took a step…then another
to take direction from the road sign
I took a step…then another
down the hill to the labyrinth below
I took a step…then another
on the winding path to the center
this way
that way
turning
turning
this way
that way
I took a step…then another
arriving…stopping…staying
after all the looking down
I paused to look up
attention turning
from grounded feet
to soaring sky above
I took a step…then another
discovering newness on the familiar way
I took a step…then another
asking…wondering…musing
What if the way is the step…
one…then another?
Rev. Brad Sheppard, August 15, 2023
