A mere inconvenience

Dear Members of the Parish,

Like many of you, Lisa and I spent the last 40 hours with a wet-vac getting

water out of our basement. When the water had slowed down a bit, we set the

hose in one spot and got to sit and rest for five minutes in between

emptying the 6 gallon bucket (that's 48 pounds). It gave us time to reflect

on our many blessings. As exhausting as it was, we realized that our

experience paled in comparison to the folks on the Gulf Coast and the

victims of the tsunami and flooding all over the world.

We took 2 hour shifts on Sunday night and in an attempt to stay awake, I

looked around our basement for something to read. There were old photos and

I found a calendar from 2004. In the binding of the calendar I found some

lovely notes from close friends and I stumbled upon a prayer in a piece of

paper that was two inches wide and one inch high. The font was so small I

had to take off my glasses to read it -- age creeping in!

It is so lovely that I immediately thought of all of you and wanted to share

it. So when I arrived this morning, I Googled it and it turns out to be a

Jewish prayer for travelers or wayfarers. Its Jewish name is Tefilat

HaDerech. It is meant to be prayed as you are leaving a place, as you are

setting out on a journey. Since we are in the midst of Lent and our journey

will lead us to the cross and finally the resurrection, I thought it was

appropriate for us now and as we continue our journey of faith together.

I pray that it will enrich your life today and that you will add it to your

devotions whenever you set out to travel -- whether your journey is

spiritual or physical.

Peace and Blessings,

Miriam

"May it be Your will, Eternal One, Beloved of our ancestors, that You lead

us toward peace, direct our steps in peace, guide us in peace, and bring us

to our desired destination in life, joy, and peace. May You rescue us from

the hand of every foe, ambush, bandits and wild animals along the way, and

from all kinds of calamities that may come to and afflict the world. May You

bestow blessing on all our actions, and grant us peace, kindness, and mercy

in your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us, and bestow bountiful kisses

upon us. May You hear the sound of our supplication, because You hear

everyone's prayer. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who hears prayer."