It’s been a complex sort of week in my world. You know… the kind that takes all the consciousness you can muster, along with a fair amount of beyond-consciousness, too.
Because many of you share big chunks of history with me, you may be aware that Dr. Walter Brueggemann walked on this week. He was my teacher. My friend. In many ways, one of the most empowering voices in my head. And, there’s a Walter-ism which very much wants sharing…
Back in the mid-1990’s, I was on campus at Columbia Theological Seminary for a Doctor of Ministry course in pre-marital and couples counseling. It happened to be November 1… All Saints Day on a portion of the liturgical calendar that often seemed overlooked in our tradition back in those days.
Walter was preaching in Chapel. For the first couple of minutes I was a bit perplexed.
I mean… Walter was a renowned Hebrew Bible scholar. Saints seemed a bit off the beaten path. Then, the punch line…
Saints, Walter said, were all the people who believed for us on days when we couldn’t quite believe for ourselves.
That I understood! There have been quite the tribe of those in my life. I imagine there have been some along your path, too.
Ever since that day, I’ve stopped, each year, to make my list. And, more recently, to add an intention. To be one of those people – those believers – for others.
Much like another of my teachers, Dr. H. Steven Glenn, who helped me claim this huge bit of hope:
If a teenaged child has 5 adults who will listen to them, take them seriously, and not shame them or blame them for their questions, that child is practically immune from ever attempting suicide.
As far as I know, Walter and Steve didn’t know each other, in this life. I suspect, though, that there’s a possibility of a whole lot of hope if the two of them get acquainted as they walk on.
Just between us, I’ll gladly take some Saints helping me believe in these days! And, I’m totally convinced that being one of those 5 people for others also means being one of them for myself!
I’m also pretty sure that Walter is getting a good chuckle out of the Wisdom Cards I’m writing for my #Quickening journey, as his voice in my head – and heart – is doing a fair amount of meddlin’! Then, there are both (!) of my new #Legend paintings which also hold much of what I learned from him.

And, no… I can’t explain the timing of all of this. I can only say that I’m grateful.
Then, there’s the other thing I can do. I can invite YOU to see – to experience – some new things along your road! Soon!!!
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Somewhere, deep in my memory, my mom is shaking her head and warning me about not pestering people.
Then again, I’m counting on a bunch of those people called Saints cheering me on for – you know – putting it all out there!
Maybe it’s time for you, and me, to be one of those 5 people for ourselves!!!
ps… happy heavenly 90th birthday, Mom!
pps… may the Spirit – the Advocate – walk among us and guide us, this Pentecost day, and forever!
