Faith, Folklore, and Friends

It's here. After a long, nasty winter, spring has arrived, just like we knew it would if we could survive to see it. We did, and I am thankful. Winter is reluctant to give up her power, and lurks in shadows and in the shade of newborn leaves, waiting to take over again. It may have a few weak comebacks, during the time we call dogwood winter and blackberry winter, but they are pitiful, dying gasps to regain what once was. Winter, you are so yesterday! See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in the land. Song of Songs 2:11-12 NIV

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger. Thank You. I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel to pray for my release. Nice. I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. What good did that do? I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health. But I needed you. I was homeless and you preached to me of the shelter of the love of God. I wish you'd taken me home. I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. Why didn't you stay? You seem so holy, so close to God; but I'm still very hungry, lonely, cold, and still in pain. Does it matter? -----Anonymous Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27