On Being Homeward Bound
Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, will be International Migrant Day - a day to remember and act on behalf of all who have journeyed from their home nations seeking a decent living for their families, seeking education and opportunity for the children, seeking an end to oppression and impoverishment. Dec. 18 will be a day to notice and appreciate migrant workers in our midst: to be thankful for those who pick and prepare our food, those who care for our children, those who bring talents and life-giving traditions from their countries to ours.
In preparation for International Migrant Day, Women's Division executive Glory E. Dharmaraj, Ph.D., has prepared a series of meditations entitled, "On Being Homeward Bound." You are encouraged to read one each day from today through Sunday, Dec. 17. Throughout the week, begin to think how you will mark International Migrant Day. Offer your plan to God in prayer. Monday, Dec. 18, act.
On Being Homeward Bound: Reflection 1
Waiting for Our Souls to Catch Up with Us
by GLORY E. DHARMARAJ, Ph.D.*
God, it seems you've been our home forever.
• Psalm 90:1a, from The Message
As a group of Africans carrying heavy loads on their heads reached the banks of a river, they set down their loads then waited for days. A tourist who saw this asked them why they did not go forward. The river seemed placid and welcoming. The leader of the group said:
"We are waiting for our souls to catch up with us."
"We are waiting for our souls to catch up with us."
There is something timeless in this story. People - joined as community - are engaged in a common mission of recognizing the need for their souls to catch up with their bodies. They wait, allowing God to break into their laborious walking. They wait, allowing God to come in the midst of their heavy burdens.
The tourist could not comprehend the integrated lived-life of people who strive to be at peace with themselves and the earth. The tourist could not fathom what was happening at the depth of the soul of a waiting people whose purpose is to search for full personhood.
Let us pray:
Our God, who breaks into life's labors, who offers our souls a chance to catch up, enable us to wait, burdens down for your arrival. Give us patience and faith to wait as we engage the search for full personhood. Thank you for the models of those who live in community as they strive to be with themselves and the earth. Amen.