Signs.

We are headed west --out of VA today, hopefully through West VA and on in to the wilds thereafter. Moving is harder work than I remembered... all the goodbyes not easy... especially since I know I will be back... but there is less of us in limbo than before, we have a destination and work to do, and that brings me great joy.

One of the movers, black and from Richmond... I was giving directions to the van driver to meet us elsewhere, and I said, Go down past the statue on Monument Ave etc.... Later, in a moment, I asked the mover --Can I ask you a point-blank question? He said, Yes. I asked, What is it like to move past those statues up and down Monument Ave? He said, no different than moving any other place --you see what you want to see, and what those statues imply is all over and any other place....

He has given me much food for thought. Sometimes the signs can be in many languages, whether the one who built the sign intended it or not... makes me wonder about our Christian 'signs' (sacraments)....

Hope to follow the signs that will get us where we are going today.

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy [we have been made worthy by him who lived and died and lives for/with us] servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Peace out.